LIMPOPO – Visual artist Fumani Maluleke is reimagining the humble grass mat, or xitheve, as it’s known in Tsonga, by turning it into a canvas for his vibrant and meaningful artwork. His unique approach is earning him recognition on the international art stage.

Originally from Thomo village in Giyani, the 34-year-old artist has always had a passion for drawing, even sketching on the walls of houses as a child. This early love for art guided him to pursue creative arts at Hanyani Thomo Secondary School, where he graduated in 2012 as the school’s top student in the subject.

Fumani continued his studies at the Artist Project Studio and Tshwane North College, excelling academically. But his artistic journey took a transformative turn when he accidentally spilt paint on a grass mat. Inspired by the texture and aesthetic, he began experimenting with using the mat as a canvas.

He asked his grandmother to make more mats for him, and his connection to the material deepened when she revealed a powerful personal detail: he had been born on a grass mat. The story, rooted in necessity, that his mother gave birth to him at Dzingidzingi village due to the lack of nearby medical facilities, gave the mat profound symbolic meaning. From that moment, it became the foundation for all his artwork.

His mother, Daphney Nkuna, shared her pride with the Herald.

“I didn’t understand art at first, or where it would take him. But now, I see God’s hand in his journey. He’s always been disciplined, even stepping up as a father figure after his dad passed away. He built me a house and helps support the family. I pray for him every day.”

Fumani’s former art teacher, Moses Mthombeni, who taught him from Gr 8, also praised his dedication:

“He’s always been hardworking and disciplined. I’m not surprised at his success. We’ve stayed in touch over the years,” said Mthombeni, who recently spoke as the main guest at the launch of Fumani’s solo exhibition Tsalwa: The Materiality of Stories, held at Unisa Art Gallery in Pretoria on April 26. The exhibition runs until May 23.

In April, Fumani reached a major milestone in his career by becoming the only black artist among 100 international exhibitors at Art Central in Hong Kong. His work was well-received, with many pieces sold to collectors, particularly from Singapore.

“While I was in Hong Kong, I discovered that the Chinese also have their version of a grass mat made from bamboo. This sparked collaborations with local artists there. The trip opened many doors, I now have upcoming exhibitions in France, Italy, Singapore, and Switzerland,” he said.

Fumani encouraged parents to support their children’s passion for art. “Art is a powerful field that is transforming lives. Parents shouldn’t discourage their kids from following that path.”