Most Zimbabweans seem to have an inate artistic flair. It is always inspiring travelling there and being surrounded by so much creativity. Sadly, these days, due to the desperate situation in their county, over 3 million have fled to South Africa looking for opportunities to feed their families. Even as far South as Port Elizabeth, many street corners show displays of their work, wonderful wood carvings, metal work, woven grass furniture , beaded wirework etc are all available at roadside stalls like this, on the corner of 8th Ave and Main Road in Walmer. These people are subject to much Xenophobia from local Xhosas, who say they are stealing jobs from them, but I support them whenever possible, because I admire their hard work, entrepreneurial spirit and artistic flair, and the courage they show, always cheerful despite the harrowing stories many of them can tell you.
Wire artists
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I hope he can make a living from this until Mugabe is gone. What did you buy?
hi steffe, nothing this time, but when I had an interior design business a couple of years ago, I often used their stuff in my designs, and sold items in my shop.
Some of the wire work is incredible, I agree. But I have nowhere to put it anymore, so I don’t buy it.
I am starting to get really pissed at Google… I left a comment here earlier today and it never got published. Grrrrrrrr. So take two: Does he make all of the stuff he sells? That display is huge! If so, that’s a very talented craftsman.(Everywhere you hear the same nonsense about immigrants stealing jobs. They don’t! They take on jobs the locals despise and everyone knows that.)
it’s great to see people be cheerful and happy to find work in order to provide for themselves
yes fenix, they actually sit on the side of the road and make it in front of you. And they are very amenable to taking orders for something special, if t=you see something there but want it modified. I once got them to make me little ladybugs, but attached to long thin bolts and i used them as cupboard handles in a child’s room I was decorating. I did the same in one kitchen i did, but with beaded chillies, we had a lot made up in red, orange and yellow, and they looked stunning against the dark wood cabinets! (in fact I’ll post a pic on my arty farty blog so you can see them)
Wow those are lots of goods..I wonder how long did it take him to finish. interesting stuff! Good day!
Because I collect them, I would have searched for a little wire cat. 🙂
Hey – those are the guys outside what used to be Servistar! I always go there when I visit home and pick up some stuff – a giraffe and a gorgeous aloe most recently. Last time they had these wonderful Xhosa cattle and I was sorely tempted to get a small herd. Damn those airline luggage limits 😉
Hi there, do you still have any contacts of a really good Wire Artist. I'm shooting a kiddies show in P.E and one episode requires one as a guest. Please e-mail me on gg2@flypiggyfly.co.za or 011 582 1157