community reflections

For most of my childhood I grew up with my father’s family, mainly with my aunt. I didn’t get a chance with my mother; I got to meet her only when I was much older. I would not say I had an easy childhood but I have made peace with it.

My aunt got a social grant from an early age because she did not have an arm. Both her arms got badly burnt, and she lost use of one arm. She was very loving and kind. On her social grant, she would buy us Christmas clothes and she bought me a sewing machine. She is the one who would help us with our school stationery and other things. I remember, if you didn’t eat, she would poke your stomach and say, ‘Come on, I know you are hungry!’

Even now, when I go back to visit my father’s family, they welcome me and give me love just like I am a child again.

On my mother’s side of the family, I had a grandmother who was also very loving. She would always share food with us. Even if it was chicken feet, she would break it into six pieces, so we all got some.

Someone else who has played an important part in my life is my neighbour, Nozimasile. She has been there through everything. If I ever needed to borrow a three-legged pot, I borrowed it from her. If I ever needed food, she would help me out so that my children could go to bed with full tummies. She doesn’t ever keep a grudge. She got married to my uncle and now we are also family. I work together with Nozimasile at Keiskamma Art Project.

I saw the sign for Keiskamma Art Project one day when I was going to collect firewood.  I think it was in 2006. I sold firewood from the thorn tree (umnga) to make a living at that time as employment in this area was very scarce. I could chop the wood to sell it, even if it was wet. The firewood bundle looks really good. You can also cook with it, and if you make a firepit in the house, you sleep in a nice warm room. You can also take the bark and dry it to use for your face. That is called umemezi.

I didn’t make very much money from selling firewood. Sometimes I didn’t even know what we would eat for supper. And I never had money for electricity and paraffin. At that time, I was pregnant with my last born. So, I decided to join the Art Project to give my children a chance in life. I wanted them to have everything they needed for a good life.

When I came to the art studio, I was given a cloth and a needle and a short, left-handed, light-skinned lady called Ntombekhaya taught me how to embroider. She was a patient teacher. She did not care if I caught on fast or not. I was struggling a bit at first but I tried my best. I always say, I learnt how to sew at 39 years, and it was easy because I needed it to live. I progressed quickly and now I am teaching others to embroider.

As they say in English, a stitch in time saves nine.

These days I don’t sleep without electricity; I don’t sleep without eating. I can raise my children properly. I am able to buy good food for them and a nice treat sometimes. Now my last born is doing Grade 10. I don’t have to struggle anymore, thanks to Keiskamma Art Project.