A local potter has a dream to help keep young people off the streets by using his talent.

Collen Nkosi (40) said he started doing pottery 15 years ago, and it changed his life for the better. According to him, it took him two years with no pay to master this craft. He said he now wants to pass his knowledge on to the young people in his community.

“Through pottery, I have managed to feed myself and my children, and this kept me focused. I believe young people can be kept from the streets by giving them something to do. I used to work as a person that puts clay together for other potters, and while doing that, I got inspired to learn. Every day after my colleagues were done with their work, I would go to their work stations and try to do what I saw them doing during the day. As I was trying, my employer saw me and offered to teach me the craft.”

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Nkosi said he makes traditional clay pots, vases, cups and plates. “My pots are inspired by my heritage. Doing traditional pots helps me pass my heritage from generation to generation. Making vases, pots and plates were ideas I thought of doing after I looked at the products we used to make at my former work environment.”

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Nkosi is currently unemployed; he lost his job last year. “After I looked at how much I was struggling to make ends meet and to provide for my children, I decided to start doing something for myself. While I was still working, I managed to buy some of the equipment I needed, and I started using them to make pots. Now I want to share my knowledge with others. Due to a lack of funds, I am not able to make the dream come true. I would like to ask local businesses to assist me with this initiative I have in mind.”

Those who would like to contact Nkosi, can dial 076 619 7372.