Nontobeko Charity Jilajila is one of the interns who now works at Ubuciko Creations; as well is a product of the former Velobala Mentorship Programme which was held at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

As part of its external engagement with the Africa Art Centre (AAC), the DUT Department of Fine Art and Jewellery Design launched the Velobala Mentorship Programme, a six-month training course for artists in 2013. 

The mentorship programme came as a result of DUT’s longstanding relationship with the AAC which is a Durban-based organisation that plays a pivotal role in promoting and training black artists and craftspeople in South Africa.

For Jilajila, her passion for art started in 2012 when she used to go to the BAT Centre and do her artworks,  then she later enrolled for the Velobala classes hosted by the Durban African Art Centre, at the DUT in 2013.  

“I do oil pastel drawings and woodcut prints. My work relates more to nature and life experiences and the inner feelings and imagination,” she said.

She received a call from Major Ndlovu, the Founder of Ubuciko Creations, telling her about this opportunity.

“After my matric I started to work on my career professionally, with the assistance of the Velobala weekend art classes at DUT. I am keen and willing to take any opportunities that might help me to study further and improve my career. I have experience in working with different artists doing different mediums at the BAT Centre where tourists and art collectors would come and buy my art works,” she replied.

Her goal is to build a stronger, professional relationship with her work and her art collectors.  

Ndlovu, the founder of Ubuciko Creations, speaks on his organisation.

“Ubuciko Creations is an independent organisation of arts and entertainment that offers opportunities to the youth, women, and people with disabilities. These opportunities are aimed to grow the artists’ skills so they can be used as a career and for them to make a living out of their skills,” he said.

He explained that this organisation is a response to the unemployment rate. He indicated that most of the very talented, skilful youth, even graduates, are sitting in their homes doing nothing because of fewer job opportunities. 

“We believe as this organisation we play a big role in fighting crime, drugs, prostitution, teenage pregnancy, etc. Our main focus is the artists in rural areas as there are few to no opportunities for them there,” he stressed.     

Ndlovu added further that he had applied for  the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has made the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP3)  Work-Based Experience (WBE ) Programme as it aligns with our objectives as an art organisation.  

He also explained the role of the interns who are tasked to learn the skills of printmaking, administration, and managing the starts and ends of the projects. 

“Under printmaking, they are advised to produce five woodcut prints, starting from research, sketching, carving, printing, and work signing.

 As an art organisation that also empowers women it encourages more women out there to learn to be independent. We are very keen and willing to share more skills with creatives out there, especially in rural areas. But all that depends on us finding funding to keep the project moving,” he said.

Pictured:  Nontobeko Charity Jilajila