When Isaac Modipa of Tshiozwi was growing up, his dream was to become a motor mechanic, working on vehicles and creating his own designs. Unfortunately, coming from a humble background, he never had the opportunity to pursue formal education and explore his aspirations. However, he has now realised his dreams by designing and building remarkable wire structures, which he sells and displays in his yard.

Isaac’s journey began during his school days when he would collect pieces of wire from the streets and the fields. Members of the community also contributed by giving him pieces of wire and used containers. With these materials, he crafted wire cars.

“Sometimes it’s challenging to find good pieces of wire, and I also lack the necessary tools and funds to work as quickly as I’d like to,” he explains. “But the community supports me, and I believe that, with some assistance, I can achieve even more,” he expressed.

What started as crafting toy cars gradually evolved into more ambitious projects, and Isaac enlisted the help of a friend. His hobby not only became a passion but also a means of earning a living. “No one at home is employed, so I had to come up with a plan to make money,” he said.

One of his recent projects involved building a wire wagon, complete with two horses to pull it around. The wagon is large enough for him to sit on, and it has already become a major attraction in the area.

His neighbour, Mr Mpho Thathaisa, noted that people had initially not paid much attention to Modipa’s talent. “It’s amazing because now people want to come to his house all the time to see his creations and ask him about it,” said Thathaisa. He believes that, with more support, Modipa can design and build even more incredible projects.

“My biggest dream is to open my own art gallery one day,” Modipa said.