The desire by parents to have their children achieve academic excellence has always hindered many from fulfilling their dreams and discovering their artistic talents.
Wadzanai Madhibha
While some end up failing to pursue their dreams as their parents and guardians force them to pursue other avenues in life, many have lived a life of regret as a result.
This is equally true when one fails to achieve the required academic grades and is denied the opportunity to follow their heart.
28- year-old Baisi Malizan of Kadzviti village in Murehwa, when he failed Ordinary Level 16 years ago, he thought he was doomed because he was brought up to believe that a white-collar job was his destiny.
He had to endure the pain of being labelled a failure; going back to school was not an option as he came from a poor family.
Life for him in the rural areas was not easy as he needed money for his upkeep, while venturing into farming for him was not a solution either as he could not stand the scorching heat — proving that it was not his passion.
As a person who had always admired nature and loved painting ever since childhood, he started to carve stones to pass time.
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NewsDay caught up with Malizan at his homestead and he revealed how carving stones has brought him solace by becoming a source of income.
“Growing up l was always told by my parents that a white collar job was the only job a decent man could have, though I had passion for drawing portraits. Each time my parents saw me painting or drawing they would beat me up and scold me telling me that art was for failures.
“When l failed Ordinary Level, l started carving stones and they gradually they started appreciating my art,” said Malizan. Malizan said he gets inspiration from the stone itself. Much of his work depicts the natural world around him, working from his own mental images of the subject.
“I get the inspiration to carve stones from the stone itself. I love nature so by merely looking at everything around me l can easily carve it without difficulties,” Malizan said.
Even though he has got talent it is very sad that little is known of him elsewhere except in his own village.
“It is very difficult to sell my carvings, instead of buying the sculptures people here want to exchange even with a small thing like a chicken” he added.
Malizan’s childhood friend John Mutukumira spoke highly of Malizan and said that he knew from school that Malizan was destined to be an artist.
“Back then when we were still at school I knew Malizan was destined to be an artist because each time he would be free he would paint and carve even a ball using wood,” Mutukumira said.
