MAN OF STEEL
Welder scales the heights with giant robot
While the nickname ‘Man of Steel’ is a moniker more famously associated with the comic book hero, Superman, the name could easily go to local welder, Kabelo Morokotso, as well.
Certainly, the 38-year-old’s giant robot looks capable of bursting into life and flying off to save the day at a moment’s notice.
Nine metres tall and weighing 2.6 tonnes, Morokotso’s aluminum creation towers impressively over all it surveys.
Currently on display at his workshop in Malotwana village near Mochudi, the talented welder wants US$75,000 (P750,000) for his robot, which took a year-and-a-half to make. He saw fit to charge in the American currency as he wants to keep his sculpture open to the global market.
Unsurprisingly, given the hefty asking price, offers have been few and far between.
However, the master craftsman holds out hope that an entity or organisation might pop out the cash.
“Even though I am able to make a few bucks through these robots as I am occasionally called in for shows and am sometimes asked to teach people this particular skill, which is rare, people have not been able to buy the robot as it is expensive and cannot be bought by a single person but by museums and companies,” he admits
Morokotso and his robots have already garnered international attention, with CNN running a feature on them last year.
“It was a huge honour to be recognised by such a massive platform; that gave me courage to keep on working hard and producing quality products,” he reveals proudly.
As well as the spectacular, Morokotso makes more mundane items such as gates, mobile kitchens and trailers through his business, Cyber Kajumo Riggs.
While he does not currently have any permanent employees, it is something he intends to change soon.
“I usually engage a few people when I am working on big projects such as this robot that I made. I am hoping that - in the near future - I will be able to rope in full-time employees and have my own art park which will showcase my skill.”
Although he dropped out of school after Form 3, art has always been close to his heart.
“My passion for art started between 1987 and 1992. It began with small crafts such as drawings and building cars using wire for various museums in Kgatleng side. I eventually studied a few short courses, such as Advanced Boiler Making, which equipped me with the skill to apply a soft touch to steel, which became my main focus,” he tells Voice Money.
It was not until 2015, however, that the idea of a giant robot was first discussed.
“I was watching a movie about robots with my son, and he told me that I should start creating robots but I dismissed him as I felt it would be costly. However, a year later, I took my son’s advice and began work on the robots,” recalls Morokotso.
It would consume the next 18 months of his life.
“It was not easy as I was not working at the time. I had to find the means to raise funds for this big project, which I believed would pay dividends in my life one day.”
Long completed and standing tall, this mighty structure is a testament to the artist’s talent; he will be desperately hoping a big pay day will follow his fame.
For more information, Morokotso can be reached on 71689263.