Standerton’s Sibonelo Masondo warms to the challenge of new ventures

A multi-faceted artistic individual from Standerton has accomplished a few things in his life, no less learning to speak a foreign language.

Mr Sibonelo Masondo was born and raised in town and now lives with his grandmother in Kosmospark.

The wall in her bedroom depicts examples of her grandson’s sketches over the years.

Grandmother Victoria has been quite willing and keen to be his model, with his parents Mandla and Madi, in full support of his aspirations.

“Art is something I have loved from a young age,” he said.

“It’s more than a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.”

The time spent at the Johannesburg Art Gallery for a nearly three-hour-perusing in 2017, satisfied him immensely.

“It was my first experience of the work of artists,” he said.

“Oh yes, a bit of pilfering with my eyes also took place.”

Sibonelo prefers graphite pencils and usually concentrates on portraits and landscapes.

He unequivocally stated that one can make a living from art, but acknowledged that framing could be on the expensive side.

The usual question to an interviewee about the sugar in a cup of coffee, was answered with a request of demonstrating visually the circumference of the cup.

“I picture everything,” he admitted.

Sibonelo matriculated at Stanwest Combined School in 2016 and took a gap year afterwards.

He is studying an executive secretary course at Oxbridge Academy in the hope of becoming a businessman one day, preferably in the art field.

With his command of social networks, a cellphone is used for taking photographs, making short videos and capturing sunsets.

The reason being the financial output needed for a good camera.

After CNA at the Monument Centre closed down, his job as sales consultant and exposure to books were things of the past.

“I love reading, especially on finance and personal growth,” the bookworm added.

Financial wisdom is a priority in his life, apart from drawing other people into his life.

He firmly believes in offering support to other people, whether emotional and psychological or financial.

Sibonelo’s involvement with the Jehovah’s Witnesses and door-to-door canvassing exposes him to different people at different stages in their lives.

“They are mostly willing to listen,” he commented.

Standerton’s Jehovahs meet at Kingdom Halls in Meyerville and Sakhile and sermons are conducted in Zulu, English, Afrikaans and Sotho.

“To reach someone, you have to speak to them in their own language.”

He has been studying Mandarin for the past three years, making use of YouTube and PDFs at first.

“I satisfied my curiosity and challenged myself to learn the language.

“To be considered literate, one needs to know at least 3 000 characters in a language that has more than 50 000 characters.”

Sibonelo estimated that the basics such as ‘hello’, ‘how are you’ and ‘fine, thank you’ can be mastered in a week.

He is lending a helping hand for a friend at GS College, who is going to China.

This specific interest in Chinese began at school and by now he has befriended the town’s Chinese community.

“I’ve been invited to sleep-overs and meals and found them to be hospitable.”

His taste in food has been influenced by Chinese cuisine, but seafood remains a favourite, not allergic at all.

“I am not picky, pumpkin however, is a no-no.”

He does sometimes skate on thin ice with daily skateboarding with a couple of friends.

“You first need to focus on how to ride,” he commented.

“It was quite scary.”

Any challenge seemingly wets the appetite of this single, 24-year-old.