VISUAL upcycled glass artist Mandisa Nyoni and founder of Nozinhle Creations, is transforming discarded glass into stunning cultural artwork — a creative venture she showcased at the Youth Empowerment Market Fair on Tuesday in Bulawayo.
The event, organised by Women Institute for Leadership Development (WILD), SAYWHAT, Save the Children and the European Union, brought together young innovators and entrepreneurs to share their initiatives addressing social and environmental issues.
Nyoni was among the exhibitors who demonstrated how art can drive both environmental awareness and economic empowerment.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Nyoni reflected on her passion about glass art, revealing that it has also promoted waste management.
“I am passionate about glass waste management. I believe we, as young people, have the responsibility to clean up our communities. One way of doing that is upcycling discarded materials,” she said.
Through her brand, Nozinhle Creations, she creates table tops, wall-mounted art and other decorative pieces, all made from crushed and cut glass.
She added that her work not only promoted sustainability, but also told Zimbabwean cultural stories, offering visual narratives through a unique artistic medium.
“My inspiration came during the COVID-19 era. I saw a broken mirror and imagined a ballerina made from it. That’s how it started,” she said.
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Nyoni said the journey had not been easy.
“This type of art is more common in other countries, not so much here in Zimbabwe and it has been challenging to access the market,” she noted, adding that her long-term dream was to reach international markets and raise awareness about the value of glass waste upcycling.
