Neglected Subject: The state of Art Education in African schools
Art is one form which has many definitions, among them it’s being a voice of the voiceless.
In an interview with, Zimbabwean mural artist who is making life changing in South Africa where he is based.
Augustine Makombe (AM), chitchat with My Afrika Magazine journalist Tapiwanashe Rubaya (TR), about his artwork and why he believes in mentoring school students when they are young. He further shares his thoughts about the ‘arts’ as a subject in Africa’s education.
TR: Hie Augustine can you briefly introduce yourself to our magazine readers?
AM: My name is Augustine Makombe. I’m self-taught artist who was born in Bulawayo and grew up in a dusty township of Mabuthweni.
TR: Can you take us to the footsteps of your journey how you began?
AM: I started realizing that I can draw when I was in grade 3.I used to take my mother’s make up, ashes and charcoal which I used as a form of pencil and makeup as a form of water colour painting. It was difficult those days because our parents were not able to afford to buy art materials.
TR: Do you view arts as a microphone that speaks about society?
AM: Art is a microphone because it speaks a lot in what is happening in our daily life, for example, it expresses messages and emotions.
TR: Can you classify your line of work our product in the arts sector?
AM: I do more decorative art which is portrait drawing, landscape drawing, wall murals and concentrate on helping kids in the develop their art skills.
TR: As a self-taught artist what is the major challenge that you faced and how did you manage to conquer it?
AM: It was not an easy road as an artist because art materials are quite expensive, for me to do quality work it required me to get quality materials. The other thing it was difficult to concer art because in our black community, art is regarded as something which you can’t make a living. I managed to concer these challenges through hard work and consistently and in art one needs to be patient.
TR: August you work with a number of schools in South Africa, one might wonder why schools?
AM: I choose schools because not all the kids are perfect in education, in schools that’s where it starts and that’s where I come in and guide them so they realize their artistic dreams.
TR: Speaking about schools do you believe Africa’s education system is lacking behind in promoting art as a subject ?
AM: Yes I believe African education system is lacking behind in promoting art as a subject because they don’t believe that you can make living through art.
TR: Among the pieces (mural wall) which one is your favourite and why?
AM: My favourite wall murals I did is one along Chris Hani crossing Mall in Vosloorus it gives lots of mixed motion as because of it’d shapes and colours.
For now I am currently based in South Africa and my cell number is +27843762910
Email address augustar410@gmail.com
Facebook page: Udumo arts and craft foundation
