FIRE DESTROYS ART WORKS
POLICE have come in for criticism from the family of late iconic artist Jackson Hlungwani after sculptures worth thousands of rands were burnt when the fourstorey building housing them was set alight.
They feel the disaster in Waterval, Limpopo, could have been averted had police not ignored earlier attempts to burn the building.
On Saturday night, Hlungwani’s son Gazland and his nephew Aredzi – who are also sculptors – lost sculptures that were to be sent to an exhibition in Johannesburg.
There were 25 of Gazland’s sculptures and another 30 belonged to Aredzi.
Also burnt were children’s school books, two beds, a TV set, food and other household items.
Gazland built the building, which also housed a spaza shop, after the death of his celebrated father in 2010, at the age of 90.
Gazland’s sister Maria said the family had a problem with Waterval police.
“If police had not disregarded the case we reported after an attempt was made to burn the building, it would not have been burnt now,” said Maria.
She said police did not take the case seriously and failed to take up several cases reported, including one of a family member accused of assaulting others.
“Everything, including mealie meal, was burnt,” Maria said.
Gazland said he was shattered because the September exhibition was approaching and he had spent more than six months making the sculptures.
Limpopo police spokesman Colonel Malesela Ledwaba promised to investigate the matter but had not responded at the time of going to press.
Hlungwani, who was known as “Xidokana ” (Little Donkey), was famous for his wooden sculptures of fish and other water creatures.
He received many honours, including the Mapungubwe Living Legend Award and his sculptures have been exhib- ited in galleries around the world.
“Fish do not fight,” he once said, explaining why he enjoyed making fish carvings. He said fish reflected the peacefulness of the new world.
His works also reflected a new South Africa where blacks and whites were united.
“In the new world black and white is one, hallelujah!” he said.