Below is the work of a (relatively) young artist, Michael Selekane, which I acquired in 2009 during the Grahamstown Arts Festival.
When I was rich
To this day, I remain very grateful that I made the acquisition. I didn’t have the 850 ZAR that it cost, but like a vulture I circled the piece for a few days until I could no longer resist the temptation to sink a little bit deeper in the abyss of credit card debt. I was beyond certain that I had to have it: I was completely smitten and besotted by the piece that the mere thought of it gracing someone else’s wall brought sinful imagery in my mind, heart and soul.
Looking at it, and reading through the title itself, “when I was rich”, I understood like never before that richness has so many dimensions to it. I understood why the voice of nkhono ‘Machale –the granny that took care of my two sisters when they were babies– had so much affection when she referred to her home as leqhofa; a Sesotho word for a deteriorating house left by a deceased loved one –typically male because of the (customary) laws of ownership.
For nkhono ‘Machale, her house, which was smaller but akin to the one captured by Selekane was a home because it represented the richness of her life. It is perhaps unfortunate that it took Selekane’s work to truly appreciate this fact. In my mind, she was poor to the day she died. I neglected all the other possible dimensions to richness. The contentment, joy, and gratitude that nearly celebrates everything, from the sunrise, the birds to having something to eat, a roof over your head, and a neighbour that is sincerely interested in knowing how you are in greeting you.
I am yet to attain such richness of life but I am nonetheless fortunate to have a symbolic reminder on my wall of what I aspire for. An honest and simple life with many dimensions to it that quantify its richness!
It is refreshing to find one gifted in science and arts. your commentry has depth reflecting a tranquil and mature mind. Have you ever thought of compiling your writtings (i dont mean scientific research of course) into something publishable? You have talent, nature and preserve it.
( By the way, i supect that your full Sesotho name is ‘Mathe-a-Kuena’. Which is a very prestigious name of the Bakuena clan ( bo Mokoteli)You cannot embrace ‘Kuena’ and dispise ‘Mathe’, so bear both with pride girl.
Good day
Thanks so much for the compliment. And no, I have never thought much about publishing, beyond blogging. I am still nurturing my voice. I feel at the moment its scattered and without much focus.
As for my names, I do bear them with pride but like many I tend to use one. And the jury is still out on whether my full name was intended to be Mathe-a-Kuena. I was named after Kuena Victoria and was also given the name Mathe to convey/capture a story related to my birth; I was born out of wedlock, so trust that there was a story!
Have a good day and thanks for taking time to engage with my writings. I see your engagement from the other comments you have made ….again thank you 🙂