TJAKASTAD – A 20-year-old local artist whose portraits have earned him recognition in his community, calls for collaboration in a campaign to nurture young talent in schools.
Innocent Nkambule was looking forward to being a mechanical engineer after matriculating at Maqhawuzela Combined School at Tjakastad in 2022. However, things didn’t go as planned and he couldn’t complete his college studies.
“I have always enjoyed drawing from school and that’s the reason I chose technical drawing as a subject. So, when things didn’t go according to plan at college, my grandmother one day found me playing with my pencils and challenged me to draw a portrait of her,” he said.
Nkambule said that was when he discovered that he was talented in drawing and started drawing portraits of all his family members. By August 2023, he decided to draw a portrait of his former teacher as a token of appreciation.
“I presented the drawing to him and the response I received from him was amazing. He even offered to pay for it. That is when I realized that I really had something special, something that was going to change my life for better,” he added.
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Nkambule has since made a name for himself after he drew portraits of popular figures, including local events promoter Dat Guy, Mpumalanga ANC secretary, Muzi Chirwa, Chief Albert Luthuli mayor, Mbuso Magubane and recently, Amapiano DJ Kabza De Small. He says it was through Dat Guy’s posts that his community of Tjakastad, Elukwatini and surrounding areas recognized him.
“I started receiving a lot of requests for portraits and that really boosted my confidence and income. I have also received encouraging responses from the public figures I have presented with portraits. It’s amazing,” he added.
Furthermore, he also ventured into painting and has merged with other local artists to host sip and paint events. Currently, he is seeking collaboration with interested parties to initiate a campaign that recognizes and nurtures young talent in schools.
“I wish I had started earlier in school to focus on my talent in drawing. I would not have wasted time on other things. Through the campaign, I want to inspire and encourage other children to believe in themselves and invest in their talent. It is through drawing that I have fought unemployment and poverty,” he concluded.
