Wear a locally made World Cup team hat with aplomb!
It was young Luyanda Ngodlwana’s delightful “makarabha” World Cup hats that caught my attention at a Fish Hoek Library World Cup display recently and meeting him was a real joy.
Luyanda came to Masiphumelele from the Eastern Cape 8 years ago. He, like thousands of others, came here to look for a better education, better jobs and “something that would change (his) life.” These he has found. Working for The Handspring Puppet Company in Kalk Bay where he makes props and puppets has fostered his creative skills and fulfilled his desire to work with his hands. “Through becoming involved in the arts I have become a better person and I can see a brighter future for myself.”
Learning sculpture and to paint in oils is also on his list of wishes. He has already done some sculpture in cretestone, clay and ceramics, but the cost of oil paints prevents him from exploring that medium. Combined with th
ese wishes is a desire to have training to perform on stage as he loves puppeteering, singing and dancing. In Masiphumelele he belongs to Yizani Community Group and the Ikamva Youth Group run by Sue Alexander at the Masiphumelele Library. He would like to see more young people who enjoy acting, dancing and singing and poetry readings joining these
groups. “You need a big group to make it strong and exciting. And there is lots of talent in Masi.”
Luyanda likes living in Masiphumelele where he feels that he is living in a great big family, but admits tha
t much needs to be done to improve the lives of the people there. For his part he would like to help the youth make use of their talents and ultimately would like to have his own business teaching his “brothers and sister
s” in the Arts. He would like to see young people having better opportunities than their parents had.
Get into the World Cup spirit with a “makarabha” World Cup hat on your head! Not only can you support your team in this way but your purchase of a characterful helmet, or any of the World Cup trophy sculptures that Luyanda has crafted will go a long way towards helping him fulfil his ambitions.
Viv