Growing up in a disadvantaged background does not stop this brilliant youth from displaying his talent. A Grade 11 learner at Silemale High School in Khubvi, Nndavheleseni Ramunntshi (17) has found solace in cardboard boxes and his creativity.

He has impressed his fellow learners, educators and the local community through his special kind of art. Nndavheleseni makes beautiful cardboard box models of houses, the kind of art which has earned him respect among the local community. "I am tired of brooding in silence and I want Mirror to assist so that everyone should know about my work. This is my God given talent and I do not want to confine it to my village only," said the young energetic artist.

Nndavheleseni said that he started falling in love with cardboard boxes when he was very young. "I just played around with cardboard boxes, but never thought I would one day make something attractive." He added that things had changed for the better in March last year. "Everyone was impressed by my work and I then took my talent very seriously. I received encouragement from my teachers, school mates, family members and members of the community."

Nndavheleseni explains how he does his art. "I go out to the dump and pick up cardboard boxes which I will then cut into desired pieces. I would initially draw what I want to do on paper using centimetres. I will then convert the measurements into reality, on the cardboard box. After studying the paper well, I would then started creating the model following the measurements that I did on the paper."

He says that he uses paper glue to fasten the cardboard boxes. "I would then tear another cardboard box to use the inside part to imitate heavy tiles. I make the roofing of my model house and thereafter I give it some final touches with paint."

In the past few weeks Nndavheleseni has made several house owners proud by merely looking at their houses and making models of them with cardboard boxes. "They take their models and decorate their homes with them. I can make a model of any house by merely looking at it."

Nndavheleseni can be contacted at 072 647 1989.