A chair especially fit for the Giyani mayor

DESIGNING furniture requires more than just hacking at a piece of wood. It takes skill and craftsmanship and a talent that sets the designer apart from others.

This is what Solomon N’wanzule (52) of Guyani told Giyani mayor, Pat Hlungwani when he showed him the chair that he crafted especially for Hlungwani.

N’wanzule donated the chair to Hlungwane and did not even think twice about the fact that he was giving away a chair that usually sells for R17 000.

He considers it part of his marketing strategy and also donated a similar chair to president Jacob Zuma last year.

“This gives me access to a market that I would otherwise not be able to reach. Some people insist on paying me afterwards, but my intention is to give the chairs to people who could promote my work,” he said.

The craftsman is the owner of Red Leaves Furniture Manufacturers, where he works with his son and two young men.

Not only do they make fine furniture, they also repair and restore damaged furniture.

In a village where most people cannot even afford ordinary furniture, N’wanzule’s works of art go unnoticed. This is why he is so excited at the possibility that the mayor could help him market his business.

Hlungwani promised to look at ways to help N’wanzule through the municipality’s Local Economic Develpment programme.