Show some love for local art this Valentine’s Day

ROSES are red, the sea is blue, sand at the beach is a great gift too! With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Berea Mail took to the Durban Promenade to find out more about an Mzansi gift idea – a personalised message from a local sand artist. And we have to say, we are digging this idea for the month of love.

Lucas Mahlangu (49) has been working as a sand artist for 13 years, carving out a living as a sand sculptor. We found Mahlangu near the Bay of Plenty where he works with an assistant to build sand art for passersby.

While Mahlangu’s pricing varies according to the request, he will write a loved one’s name in the sand for as little as R60, ranging up to R300 for a longer message. He also designs advertisements for local companies for a monthly fee.

ALSO READ: Beaded gift ideas for Valentine’s Day

The father of two who hails from Pinetown was drawn to the seaside more than a decade ago to find a way to make ends meet.
“There were no jobs – I wasn’t working,” he said. “Now, this is how I am making a living.”

The sand sculptor begins a message by tracing out a line to keep his lettering straight. He carves words out of a flat sand sculpture, using a plastic spoon. Next, he sprays the design with seawater and ‘polishes’ it with a plastic packet.

ALSO READ: 5 ways to celebrate love on Valentine’s Day in Durban

Despite his lengthy stay in the ‘business’, Mahlangu plans to leave his post soon. With quiet promenades after the recent beach closures and a less-than-lucrative festive season, Mahlangu says some days his travel costs to the coast outweigh his earnings.

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