Self-taught sculptor is a diamond in the rough

He might not be a famous celebrity or have a distinctive posture, but Matodzi Solomon Maladze is a distinguished sculptor whose self-taught talent dates back to when he was seven years old.

Maladze, who is 56 years old now, stays at Muhotoni village, north of Thohoyandou.

Despite his amazing talent, it is painful to learn that Maladze’s beautiful sculptures have never been exhibited at local, national or international level. “Now that the Limpopo Mirror is here to cover my story, I believe that this will be a breakthrough for my career as thousands of people will be able to know about the good work that I'm doing in this little village. I have seen many sculptors, who cannot even match my ability, exhibiting their sculptures and getting media attention. I hope there will now be light at the end of the tunnel after working in the dark for more than 50 years,” said Maladze, while working on a wooden pulpit he was sculpting for the local church. He is also currently working on manufacturing pairs of sofas as per the orders from local villagers.

Born at the mountainous village of Fefe in 1957, Maladze said that he was always in trouble for stealing his father’s treasured axe that his father used to cut wood with. “I would take the axe without permission and go into the bush with it. My father would beat me up for using it as a toy, not knowing that I would one day eat, dream and live the life of wood which turns out to be the source of income for my family.”

Maladze added that he also realized that he was talented with wood during hand work periods in primary school. “I would carve the best wooden spoons and teachers would take them home after allocating me with full marks. I then left school and went to work in the mines in Johannesburg.”

He said that while he was working in Johannesburg, the wood bug never stopped troubling him. “I then came back home in 1983 and continued to do my wood work.”

He explains some of the challenges he encounters on daily basis; “I have a serious shortage of working machinery and I also need a conducive workshop. The strong trees that I use for my sculptures are found in high mountains and I don’t have a high performance wood cutter and reliable transport. My request to the good Samaritans out there is to help me in acquiring the working tools, marketing and exhibiting my work and getting a shelter to work in. All community members are welcome to contact me on 072 199 7780.”

Entertainment - Date: 23 October 2014

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