6 months ago
31
At only five years old, Dutywa-born Kungawo Sangqu could sketch and draw some of the cartoon characters he watched on television or from his mother’s cellphone.
Surprisingly, that was before he could even read or write his name.
Now 15, the Ngcobo-based Clarkebury Agricultural School grade 10 pupil has just been crowned visual artist of the year during the Mzansi Arts and Media Awards.
The awards are aimed at honouring upcoming and little-known creatives across SA.
Born in Luxini village in rural Dutywa, Sangqu told Sowetan's sister publication, Daily Dispatch he could not pinpoint the moment he had fallen in love with sketching and visual arts.
“I was probably doing grade R at the time,” he said.
“I just remember seeing videos on my mother’s phone and I thought, let me see if I can draw them.
“The funny thing is that I did not even know how to write my own name or any other words at the time. I probably could not read anything as well.”
But as he grew older so did his passion for visual arts.
He continued drawing and while in grade 7 at Lota Junior Secondary in Dutywa started making drawings of flowers and nature.
“I love nature and everything connected with it. Every chance I got, I would spend it drawing and sketching something. I think I was born to be a visual artist.”
In 2023, he met fellow visual artist Saneze Giyama through social media.
The more established Giyama was able to guide, mentor and advise his much younger contemporary in the art of sketching.
He also assisted his protégé by buying him materials to draw and sketch with.
His mother however seemed unaware of his prodigious talent.
Often they would clash as the young man spent most of his time fixated on what he loved best.
“She would always chastise me for not washing the dishes and focusing on my drawings. But it did not matter to me.
“I would do the dishes today and tomorrow we would butt heads again as I would have completely forgotten to do them again. It kind of became a theme in the household,” he said.
He uses charcoal, graphite pencils and ordinary pens to produce his work.
He has also done drawings of many other musicians he likes, including producer and DJ Cairo CPT and SA Gqom DJ Mr Thela.
Even though he is studying physics, maths and agriculture-related subjects, he is hoping to change to more technical subjects next year.
“I want to be a visual artist. That is all I ever dream about,” he said.
He also produces building plans and believes his passion could sustain him in the long run.
The youngster’s mother, Nosisa Sangqu, an employee at the Mbhashe local municipality, could not stop raving about his talent but said she still wants to see him following a different career path.
“When he told me he had won this big award, I was so proud of him and obviously I understand the importance of letting your children follow their hearts, but I still want to see Kungawo getting another qualification besides focusing only on becoming a visual artist,” she said.
