From makokoba with pride

02 Sep, 2018 - 00:09 0 Views
From makokoba with pride Makokoba Bulawayo

The Sunday News

Makokoba Bulawayo

Makokoba Bulawayo

Thandeka Matebesi, Sunday Life Reporter
MANY people believe that Makokoba, one of Bulawayo’s oldest townships, is nothing but a crime hot spot.

In fact a lot of people shun the place because of reasons varying from robbery and even the size of the houses.

The rumour mill is awash with stories of people who have had their clothes stolen while hung out to dry and others who have been robbed in broad daylight after failing to exercise extra caution while visiting Makokoba. One can only imagine how difficult it is for some who grew up in the township.

It gets worse if that person tries to sell something in town or even in the area people immediately see a thief and the unlucky ones always get mob justice.

A self-trained artist who grew up in the township, Nowel Nkala (31) says he wants to use his craft to repaint the picture about Makokoba so that people appreciate the place as there is some good that has come out of it.

Nkala, who specialises in making vases from reeds says he is proud of his hometown.

“When I go out to sell my vases I always tell people that I am from Makokoba because I am proud of where I grew up. Crime is everywhere but since Makokoba is famous for all the wrong reasons I am trying to repaint the good picture that once existed about my hometown and as you know one of the greatest footballers in Zimbabwe Peter Ndlovu grew up in Makokoba,” said Nkala.

Nkala said his love for art developed naturally and matured with age as he now makes a living through selling vases.

“I got into the art industry in 2015 after developing a natural love for craft and back then I was making vases and trying out music as well but as my ideas for craft became finer and more creative I quit music and sought for helpers within Makokoba.

“I sell the vases in the streets as I do not have a stall yet and I sometimes manage to sell about eight in a day which makes me sustain my family,” he said.

He said the greatest challenge he was facing was being judged because of his background and sourcing a sponsor who would help him with transporting the reeds from the farm where he gathers them to Makokoba.

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