K MANGWANDA

 I was born and christened Kefas (Cephas) Mangwanda on 22 June 1964 in Mutare, Mutasa district.  My totem being Soko Mukanya (the baboon). 

I did my primary education at St. Peter’s Mission, Honde Valley and Chipinge School.  I did my secondary education at Chikore Secondary School, Chipinge District from 1979 – 1982.

After my secondary education, I came to Harare looking for work.  I stayed with my uncle whose work was stone sculpturing.  During this time I used to help my uncle sandpapering and applying wax to finished pieces.  I got a job with the then Ministry of Agriculture from 1985 to 1990. 

I always dreamt of carving or sand-piping worked pieces.  This, my uncle David said was a sign the Sokos (Ancestral Spirits wanted me to carve.  This inspired him to have me put most of my spare time into carving.  I started by carving creative work in 1985.  My uncle, Robert Kwechete, would take my pieces to Warren Park where he had a selling point along the Bulawayo Road. 

My creative work has a bias towards animals and birds.  This was so because uncle Robert specialised in animal abstracts.  My uncle always wanted me to learn his art but I did not like the idea because I thought he wanted to exploit me whenever he had demanding orders.

 I left my work as a civil servant because I was now getting more money from my sculptures from the day I left my employment I worked fully time with my uncle.  I became his assistant until 1995.  Although I was already working without assistance, I left my uncle in 1995 and started working on my own along Harare Drive, Greendale.  I am best at animal abstracts, like my teacher and general creative work.

 I am married to Grace and we are blessed with two sons, Nyasha Sydney and Munyaradzi Christopher.

 The sweetest music I like comes from stone – mute music.”