A zoo of a different kind in Polokwane
Charles Bute (57) started Zoo Afrika Art Creations, which can be found in Diemeer Street from early in the morning until 17:00.
POLOKWANE – Metal weaving artist, Charles Bute (57) started his artistic journey as a beaded jewellery maker as well as a stone and wood sculptor. His business, Zoo Afrika Art Creations was founded when he later ventured into metal weaving and proudly boasts animal sculptures which he makes by hand.
He explained to BONUS that each sculpture takes two months to make and his biggest piece was an elephant. Originally from Zimbabwe, Charles relocated to Cape Town in search of a better life. It was there where he met the mother of his two children, Vuyo (16) and Khanyi (18).
“After two years of being together, she left me and the boys without any explanation. This is when I decided to pack up my things and relocate to Limpopo to give my children a better future,” Charles said. He has been a single parent since 1995 and he says metal weaving has brought in more profit than his previous creations, so much so that he was able to send his children to school.
Charles resides in Mankweng and commutes to the city daily. “I can make just about anything from metal. Aside from metal weaving, I also do visual art where I look at a person and draw every detail on the spot,” he said.
He transports his creations to his selling point on a handmade cart and he keeps his stock at nearby premises. “I asked a Good Samaritan if I could keep my stock on their premises, so that it’s not far for me to transport them, because as you can see, that they’re very big and heavy structures,” he said. Zoo Afrika Art Creations can be found in Diemeer Street from early in the morning until 17:00.
