Township artist aims high with his crafts from waste material

Mveliso Ntaba, a contemporary artist well known for his township crafts using waste material, looks forward to one day enrolling at university to further study for his passion.

The artist, known as Teardrop, is a young man from the dusty streets of Ivory Park Extension Two. From a young age many could spot his talent, growing up he used to craft cars using wire for him and his friends.

He holds a national certificate in office administration that he obtained in 2015 after completing a three-year course at Ekhurhuleni West College. Ntaba says he would like to go to university and study art to at least have a qualification which would enable him to further his goals and dreams.

According to Ntaba, he was born gifted and he knew from an early age he has skills to change one thing into something completely different.

“It dates back to 2015 and 2016 when I couldn’t find a job after I had graduated, so I started selling boiled eggs on the streets. Weeks later I started to utilise the boxes of eggs and make things out of them.

“From 2016 I began to see my skills in art manoeuvre. I started testing different materials and saw my skills expanding. I haven’t looked back,” adds Ntaba.

Motivated by his surroundings, Ntaba draws inspiration from places he once visited. He catergorises his kind of art as raw art because of the use of raw materials, like stone, plastic, grass and leaves. His kasi landscapes show the whole township, from dumping spots, taverns, rivers and railway lines to bridges, schools and JoJo tanks.

Ntaba continues to express his feelings about helping those in need of his skills, especially learners with school projects.

“When my mother died I started to realise I needed to go back to school, and since then I discovered my potential in the field of art. I would love to see others reach their goals through education because I know its importance in one’s life.

“I try by all means necessary to help school learners with their arts and culture or technology projects free of charge. Parents just need to buy the necessary materials for their children, then we are good to go.

“I appreciate it when parents thank me for helping their children obtain better marks. Those who can give me as little as R100 at a time,” he said.

Ntaba makes bracelets, customised back packs, customised watches, necklaces, earrings, and also home decorations, like picture frames. In addition, he says he would love to one day have his own gallery where he would display his work.

“Currently, I have sessions with a number of up-and-coming skillful children from the neighbourhood, trying to pass the knowledge, but we constantly face financial difficulties in buying the necessary equipment, like glue, to continue our work.”

Thabani Langa, long-time friend, said Ntaba is a talented being who has touched many hearts through his art.

“The good thing about his work is that what others thinks is waste to him is everything he needs to express himself in what ever he decides to create.

“I would like to see him design office parks and malls in the near future, leaving a legacy for his future bloodline,” said Langa.

Follow him on Facebook (Mveliso Teardrop Ndaba) and watch videos online explaining his artwork in detail.