The colourful side of KwaMashu

 


By Tsakane Mhlongo

It is not a secret that people in townships are disadvantaged in some ways and yet we still have people that have made it far despite coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. While this is true, it is not that simple for everyone. Sometimes in order to be good at something you need to learn more about it and be exposed to it. 

People in townships and are not as fortunate people from other areas, excluding rural areas of course. If you have been to townships or heard stories of people who come from townships you will know how hard it is for some people to follow their dreams, others just give up but then hear stories of things that they were passionate about but could not continue due. The reason is mostly no support or there is not much that can make them better.

Just like other places, the people in townships are interested in a lot of things, sport, music, drama, and art. One of those townships that includes all the mentioned above is KwaMashu township. KwaMashu is located north of Durban, South Africa. 



Often portrayed as a place that has a lot of crime, which overshadows the interesting, positive, and colourful side which is performing arts. For the longest time the most known performing arts people can part of included dance, drama, and sport but now there is something else that the people love and enjoy it and want to learn about as a community and that is art. Art which includes painting, drawing and even sculpturing. Located in P14 Memolo Road, KwaMashu is the Isizotha Collective Arts centre, it consists of a group of artists that work with different mediums of Arts and different stories.

Founder Khulekani Mkhize explains why this place was created, " It was pandemic, people lost their jobs, others were unable to go to school, and as people some of us cannot learn without having someone to teachers or lecturers so I just decided to create this place where we can learn and grow together.”


The centre welcomed people from the community who were interested in art and wanted to learn or improve. In townships it is unlikely that you will find art centres likes but Mkhize believes black people in townships need places like this.

"As black people, we are very talented, so it is important for townships to have a place where people who are gift can create something that will put bread on the table", he added.

People from the community who joined Isizotha because of the love of art have seen improvement on their work.

“I was used to drawing at home, but when I started here, I learned how to use brushes and mixing paint. I started painting, I have never painted before I came here and I was not aware that there are different mediums such as soft pastel, oils pastels and old paint,” said Vukani Mdlalose, who is part of Isizotha

         Pictured: Vukani Mdlalose with his painting

  Ever since the centre was created they have had classes, held exhibits to showcase their work. While the community cannot afford to buy the art pieces, they do support in terms of growing the audience when they have shown. Despite not having customers in the community that get customers from Johannesburg and even people from outside the country.


“The Isizotha Collective Art centre has a positive influence on the community as it allows community members to express themselves artistically and it provides them the support and the encouragement to do more about their artwork.” Said community member,Celukhuhle Miya.

Art is not only loved by people who came from KwaMashu but also people who come from Umlazi township and one of those people is Durban University of Technology Fine Arts student, Sbongakone Ndlovu. He was interested in art ever since he started drawing which made him want to study fine art. “We do not have art places in Umlazi, so I am the one who bring, and we have small movements who try to bring art,” said Ndlovu. He says it is important for townships to have places that have art.

Speaking on the topic of arts, Fine Arts lecturer at the Durban University of Technology, Bulelwa Mbhele said, “If black people are exposed to art at an early age they would appreciate it more”


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