TZANEEN – Kamo Mokoena (20), a young artist with a disability from Bokgaga village in Tzaneen, is redefining the world of art through resilience and extraordinary talent.

Born with a disability that limits the use of his hands, Mokoena has turned his mouth into a tool for creating extraordinary art, inspiring his community and beyond.

“I was sitting alone one day, and I realised that everything I do would have to be with my mouth. Art was the first idea that came to me, and I decided to try holding a pencil in my mouth. From there, my passion for drawing was born,” said Mokoena.

By using charcoal pencils and other drawing materials, Mokoena creates intricate portraits and breathtaking works of art, treating his craft as a sport and pouring his heart into every piece.

He recently shared a video of his incredible drawing of Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba on TikTok. His drawing attracted a lot of views with people pledging to support his business.

“This is the greatest thing that has happened in my life,” he said.

The talented and creative mouth artist said that he is self-taught. “I love art, and I knew this was something that I could do,” said Mokoena.

According to Mokoena, each artwork takes him up to two weeks to complete, which is a process that requires both patience and dedication.

Despite his remarkable talent, Mokoena has faced challenges along the way. “People would ask me to draw them, but after I finished, they would not pay me. To tackle this issue, I implemented a strategy requiring clients to pay 50% upfront before I begin with their portraits,” he explained.

Mokoena’s perseverance has paid off, earning him strong support from his community, which admires his determination and artistry. “I’ll never quit my artwork,” he said.

He also highlighted that his dream is to travel abroad and one day own a company and multiple businesses.

Mokoena draws inspiration from a woman who motivated him to pursue his passion for helping others through art. Her influence, combined with his unwavering commitment, has turned his talent into a powerful symbol of hope and creativity.