Master crafter of Ntshawini

Using his hands, the talented sculptor, Robert Mthembu of Ntshawini is able to breath life into inanimate wood.

Learning handcraft at school introduced Mthembu to this art form, from which he seeks to make a living.

Mthembu started making wooden sculptures in 1992 and he carries examples of his work wherever he goes.

“It is my way of marketing my work. People see my sculptures and they place orders,” said Mthembu.

He began by making wooden spoons and trays not because they are easy to make, but because they are easy to carry around.

The biggest sculpture he has made was a sculpture of King Shaka with his soldiers, performing a Zulu dance.

“That sculpture was bought by an Australian tourist during the 2005 Harber Festival in Richards Bay.”

Mthembu was born and raised in Mtubatuba.

He moved to Ntshawini to his grandmother’s house in 2004, in search of work.

Mthembu’s biggest dream is to have a place where he can work.

“I need a big and safe place to work in, so that I can make as many sculptures as I want. At present I cannot make a lot of sculptures, because I do not have space to keep them,” said Mthembu.

He mostly makes use of the wood of Natal Mahogany trees.

“The wood is soft and can be used to make any sculpture of your choice. Also it is easy to find in the bushes around Ntshawini,” said Mthembu.

He said he gets a lot of support from the people in his township where his biggest sellers are useful items like wooden trays and wooden flower pots.