The first time I worked with clay was when I was a child in the Transkei.  We would watch the cows and play by the river. For me it was the most natural thing to make cattle out of clay. I was born in 1976 in Port Elizabeth. My formal training in ceramic art was at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) where I received a Bachelors of Technology Degree in Ceramic Design in 2002.

As a student I had problems paying for my studies and my teachers helped me through that – they got me bursaries and loans. They were committed to helping me succeed in life and I think I took some of that from them. After my education I was involved in a community project teaching ceramic art skills to women in rural areas of the Transkei. I taught them but also learned from them. It was a good experience that developed me in a positive way. For the first time I felt I was really making a difference in the lives of others.

It came as a surprise for me to be able to do sculpture when I joined Light from Africa. Here I was given the opportunity to do new things. When I came to Light from Africa I was a different person and I have grown as an artist here.

I hope I can keep doing what I do best and keep helping people. I am so glad that I am part of Light from Africa and that we are helping children – especially those left orphaned as a result of HIV and Aids in the Western Cape. The inspiration here is unbelievable. I see myself as a positive person doing good things.