Dreams for Africa: Map Project
The sun on the Dreams for Africa Map was made by Mvuzo Nhlatsana a local wireworker from the Eastern Cape who lives in Hillcrest with his son and the mother of his child. The shape of the Sun was based on an Aloe which was enlarged. When we were given the comission, Mvuzo was immediately called in to make the sun which is the focal point of the map and intergrates wirework and beadwork. The Map of africa was a commisson by the City of Durban for the Moses Mabhida staduim. The Map of Africa hangs in the presedential Atruim.
Mvuzo has a passion for nature and has great sensitivity when copying plant and animal forms into wire. When you meet him you immediately feel the serenity and peace that he carries with him. His parents are still living in the Eastern Cape and he often makes the long journey home to visit them.
He started wirework in 2000 and was taught by his neighbour, a Zimbabwean wireworker. His hobbies are wire work and painting. AIDS has affected him, as he has lost his cousin and his best friend to AIDS and it was only then that he became aware of the realities of the disease and started to educate himself about it. Supplying crafts for the HIllcrest AIDS centre has changed his life dramatically, as he was previously unemployed. He says he feels so wonderfully confident about his work and skills now. He is very proud that through his passion and creativity he is able to provide an income to support his family.
Other big Projects by Mvuzo
The Aloes that have been made for Obbligato for the Chelsea Garden show 2007 were made by Mvuzo Nhlatsana a local wireworker from the Eastern Cape who lives in Hillcrest with his son and the mother of his child.
Mvuzo has a passion for nature and has great sensitivity when copying plant and animal forms into wire. When you meet him you immediately feel the serenity and peace that he carries with him. His parents are still living in the Eastern Cape and he often makes the long journey home to visit them.
He started wirework in 2000 and was taught by his neighbour, a Zimbabwean crafter. His hobbies are wire work and painting. AIDS has affected him, as he has lost his cousin and his best friend to AIDS and it was only then that he became aware of the realities of the disease and started to educate himself about it. Supplying crafts for the HIllcrest AIDS centre has changed his life dramatically, as he was previously unemployed. He says he feels so wonderfully confident about his work and skills now. He is very proud that through his passion and creativity he is able to provide an income to support his family.
He was assited by Tossie Ratathunu for the Chelsea Flower show. Obbligato has assisted the centre by providing regular orders that allow our crafters to earn a regular salary from their craft. They also assist with product development and marketing of specialised products made only for Obbligato. As the AIDS epedemic increases is is of the utmost importance that more local business create job opportunities for local craftspeople. By doing so they are creating employment for a group of people that are seen as unemployable because of their HIV status. The Hillcrest AIDS centre has proven with the right care and access to medication lives can be turned around.We have found that economic empowerment is the single most important factor in fighting this epidemic because it gives the crafters ( who are all infected or affected by HIV/AIDS) the luxury of looking to the future and in doing so taking ownership of their disease and having something to live FOR. The health benefits of this alone can NEVER be underestimated. We take this opportunity to Thank Obbligato for creating opportunities for peoples lives to be uplifted.
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