Lucky Makamu

“I was born (in 1962) and I grew up in Mbhokota Village, where I finished my schooling in 1978 after completing Standard 8. The area around my home village near the towns of Elim and Louis Trichardt is mountainous with fertile soils, trees and picturesque landscapes. From 1979 to 1982 I decided to earn a living in Johannesburg and left my place despite the difficult time of apartheid. I was lucky to join a training course with the South African Police and was thus able to find employment in the SA Traffic Police.

After four years of city life I was longing to go back to my home. As an income generating project, I got myself involved in metal work and started to produce different kinds of jewelry. As it is tradition in our place, I also carved small sculptures. It was during that time, when I was asked by Jackson Hlungwani to work as his driver and bring his sculptures to a newly opened gallery in Newtown, Johannesburg. I soon realized how well my own small wooden sculptures caught the interest of customers. I gave up making jewelry, because I had to buy my supplies in the city, whereas I could collect the wood right in my home place.

In becoming a sculptor, I was very much influenced by Jackson Hlungwani. Not only did I earn a living from my wood carving, but at the same time I realized that through my sculptures I could get the message across about our Shangaan culture and expose our art throughout the country. Nowadays, my pieces are found throughout South Africa in different museums and galleries.

There is something that still bothers me. Why don’t we, as artists, get a fair share of the prize our sculptures are being sold for in the public domain? Why does our government pay so little tribute to us as artists? The government emphasizes Black Economic Empowerment so much but we as artists are left alone. There are more and more tourists visiting our beautiful place.

Although it is difficult to earn a living for our family needs, wood carving is my work for life. I am proud that my eldest son shares my passion and besides continuing with his schooling, he has made some very nice sculptures”.

Information courtesy of the artist.