01 Jul 2015

 Clarah Kgapeleng, a 42-year-old resident of Lehututu in the Hukuntsi Sub-district has carved a niche for herself in the art world. Back in 2012 while working for Ipelegeng programme, she saw artworks displayed in a classroom at Lehututu Primary School.

Although she could not identify the materials used on the artworks, she had something to write home about. The encounter led to her innovative take on art. The soft-spoken mother of two sons recycles rubbish into beautiful art.

“I usually collect newspapers and soak them in water. After some days, I remove them while still wet and design bedroom dustbins and jewellery boxes,” she says with a smile.

She also designs dinkgwana, storage boxes, buckets and handbags, to mention a few. She employs German print and various paints to make her products more attractive. She also uses water melons, beans and maize seeds for decoration.

Kgapeleng is happy that her products are penetrating the market with customers placing orders from all over Kgalagadi North. However, the Lehututu based artist is still struggling with securing a comfortable place where she can display her products for easy public viewing.

She is optimistic that her prayers will be answered soon thanks to various women organisations such as the Women’s Affairs Department. Although she is totally self-taught, she encourages youths who have a passion for the art industry to first acquire a qualification in the field of art, design or technology. Ends