MADIBA MAGIC: University of Fort Hare law student Mandilakhe Koyana, 21, shows the large mosaic of Nelson Mandela.Picture: STEPHANIE LLOYD
AN EASTERN Cape law student who tapped into the arty side of his personality has used 4 000 mosaic pieces to create a giant artwork of Nelson Mandela.
Fort Hare University student Mandilakhe Koyana, 21 – who matriculated from Selborne College in East London but had never been interested in art – “stumbled upon” mosaics a year ago.
His interest was triggered by an art display in a Gonubie shop window featuring a decoupaged image of Marilyn Monroe.
“I thought I could do that, so I signed up for lessons with Jenny Dustan, but the classes turned out to be in mosaicing.”
Koyana said making his first mosaic – a portrait of American technology entrepreneur Steve Jobs, which doubles as a clock – made time fly and gave him an opportunity to contemplate his life.
“Whenever I left a class, I had a smile on my face,” Koyana said.
“My life has always been the black and white of books and sports, so it was nice to sit down and focus on something else.”
Koyana, who lives with his lawyer parents in Gonubie, said his fellow mosaic students were predominantly middle-aged women who encouraged his interest in his new hobby.
“At gym, people laughed at me and everyone who knows me is very surprised I do mosaicing, but I love it. I am an impatient person, so it’s teaching me patience.”
Koyana’s second piece was a metre-high portrait of Brazilian professional football player Neymar Junior.
“I was happy with my first portrait so I decided to make the next one bigger.
“I am a perfectionist and I can only do perfect work if someone inspires me, so I chose Nelson Mandela for my latest piece.”
Koyana started the colourful piece two months ago and finished it last week – just in time for the anniversary of Madiba’s death on December 5.
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