A rural artist has decided to fight against ritual murder and HIV/Aids through art.

“I have decided to make something out of wood to send a message to the community because countless people are dying of HIV/Aids and ritual murder in my area. I think the creation of my sculpture will contribute in the war against HIV/Aids and thus save the lives of my community members,” said the self-taught artist, Mberegeni Ndou (44) of Pile village outside Thohoyandou.

Ndou says there is more to his art than ordinary crafting. He translates the meaning of his controversial sculpture: “The man in the sculpture holds a knife which symbolizes ritual murder. I have also engraved the words HIV/Aids on the right arm to symbolize the scourge of the incurable disease. Just below the sculpture are little graves that indicate that people are dying daily as a result of ritual murder and HIV/Aids. Art is all about educating the community, not sculpting for enjoyment or making money.”

Ndou said he started sculpting in 1978. Some of his sculptures have been exhibited as far away as London. He also holds a Merit Award from the Brett Kebble Foundation for the same sculpture in 2004. He has now started on working on an untitled sculpture that is due to be completed soon.

“I gathered wood from the local mountain and taught myself all the skills until I became satisfied that I had matured. I haven’t made much money from sculpting because I do not have people who are responsible for marketing my art. I would be grateful to have people out there who can help me to market my art both in- and outside the country…”

Ndou uses the little money he earns from his art to support his unemployed wife, Constance, and three kids, aged between eight and one.

He encourages the youth to take up art as a career. He plans to open an art school in his village to teach youths the art of sculpting.

“You can earn a lot of money if you are dedicated and have strong marketers. It needs creativity and dedication to succeed in this field…”