IN the ever-vibrant city of Bulawayo, where creativity paints itself onto walls, pavements and street corners, a young artist quietly sharpens his dream.
At just 24, Mthokozisi Khumalo has carved out a name for himself as one of the city’s most promising pencil artists, producing portraits that seem to breathe emotion straight off the page.
But behind every stroke of graphite lies a story of resilience, loss and an unshakeable passion nurtured from childhood.
Raised in eMganwini by a single mother after his father passed away when he was just three, Khumalofound comfort in creativity.
His artistic journey began at the tender age of four, sparked not by expensive sketchbooks, but by discarded bond papers tossed into a neighbour’s rubbish pit.
“An ex-military neighbour used to throw away lots of bond paper. To him, it was trash, but to me, it was gold,” he recalls.
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Though his mother initially discouraged his focus on art, worried he was neglecting schoolwork, she has since become his greatest supporter.
“At school, I wasn’t allowed to do art because I gave it too much attention,” he said.
“Sometimes I would even draw in my exercise books.
“But I always found a way, I had to draw.”
Khumalo’s love for art was shaped deeply by his late grandfather, a culture poet whose influence still echoes through his work.
“My inspiration is my late grandfather. I loved the way he did his art, his poetry. It made me want to create too,” he said.
Art runs in the family; his uncle is also an artist, though known more for his traditional Imbube music, but for Khumalo, pencil art became both refuge and purpose.
Despite his talent, breaking into the art world has been far from easy.
Working from a simple table at home, without professional tools or even a camera to capture his artworks, he continues to battle the challenges of visibility, resources and recognition.
“Being recognised as a pencil artist is hard. Even making it a way of living is difficult. I do portraits during my free time at home. I don’t have equipment, but I keep going because I love this.”
Among his most celebrated pieces is a detailed portrait of Bulawayo mayor David Coltart, a work he proudly calls his greatest so far.
“I gave it all I have and it made me happy to see how grateful the Mayor was,” he said.
Yet, even as he celebrates small victories, he dreams bigger.
He longs for formal training, workshops, exposure and mentorship opportunities that could transform his passion into a sustainable career.
“In the coming years, I wish to learn further.
“There is so much I want to learn in art. I want to go to school, attend workshops, mingle with other artists.
“I hope to make it my job one day.”
For now, he continues to draw not just portraits, but hope, ambitions and possibilities.
And like many young artists in Bulawayo, all he needs is support.
“Anything positive, any support to boost my career, will greatly be appreciated,” he said.
From the discarded papers of a neighbour’s yard to the promising horizon of his artistic future, Khumalo stands as a reminder that talent can rise from anywhere, even from the simplest pencil in the hands of a determined dreamer.