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Sculptor redefines Mbare township

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MBARE is one of Harare’s oldest townships and for decades it has been stereotyped for all the wrong vices ranging from robbery, petty thieving, prostitution and all sorts of misdemeanours.

MBARE is one of Harare’s oldest townships and for decades it has been stereotyped for all the wrong vices ranging from robbery, petty thieving, prostitution and all sorts of misdemeanours.

Some-of-Misheck's-artworks-lining-up-at-his-base(1)

BY SHADRECK MARIRIMBA

It is in Mbare that Misheck Ncube (29) has made inroads in making a statement to the world about his talent.

Operating in the Mbare, National area, he does his art work specialising in memorial stones, kitchen tops, granite window seals, fireplaces, granite coffee tables, TV stands and photo engraving. Ncube, who trades under the name Mbare Terrazo Tombstone is an accomplished artist.

Having learnt the art from his father who started carving stones in 1994, he said: “We used to live large on this business, but things turned ugly around 2004 due to the economic challenges the country is facing.”

He bemoaned the lack of skilled artists in the industry which has led to the few that still purchase art material being shortchanged. “Poverty has created fly-by-night artists,” he said.

“Competition has caused individuals without proper skills and adequate knowledge to mushroom in the industry and these are doing shoddy jobs.”

His art has permeated the region with his services on demand in Malawi and Mozambique. He is travelling to Mozambique next week to supply some orders. Armed with 10 years experienced, Ncube can manipulate a granite stone to create anything one can dream of.

Tombstone

He prides himself in the best final finishing of every artwork he does — be it photo engraving, stone cutting, design, polishing and edging.

“I am looking forward to exhibiting in United States in August this year through a church sponsorship,” he said.

Early this year, he did granite photos for international tourists from London who promised to market his artwork abroad.

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“I believe art is from God. I never attended an art school,” he said. Ncube said he was charging almost half the price for his commodities because of the economy since many customers could not afford once-off payments. Ncube buys the granite stones from southern granite in Chitungwiza and Zimrock International in Ruwa.