Huge loss for renowned sculptor *UPDATE*

The hopes of famous sculptor Gazland Hlungwani (54) to exhibit his sculptures at a big exhibition in Gauteng have been dashed, following a fire that destroyed more than 25 prized sculptures and the four-storey wooden building his late father ordered him to build before he died in 2010.

Also burnt were 30 sculptures belonging to his nephew, Aredzi, which were to be exhibited in September. Stock to the value of more than R5 000 for a spaza shop was also destroyed. The four-storey building that was damaged took him four years to complete and it was a tourist attraction in the area.

The fire swept over the place like a tornado and all that was left was twisted corrugated iron and ashes from the sculptures. Hlungwani,  who is the only son of the late internationally acclaimed sculptor Jackson Hlungwani, said it was not the first time such a nasty incident happened. "We have been complaining to the police, but we received no help. If the police had intervened before, this could have been averted. We are really shattered. September is just around the corner. We will work hard; maybe we will have something by the time the exhibition comes," he said.

News - Date: 06 May 2016

Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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