Man without hands pursues his dream as an artist

DETERMINED not to be a beggar, Zithulele Dlamini learned to live without hands.

The 39-year-old from Ngwavuma, in northern KwaZuluNatal, makes heads turn on the streets of Durban with his awe-inspiring portraits, including that of Nelson Mandela.

Dlamini said his hands had been amputated at three months old due to a medical condition. He survived against all odds and refused to give up his dream to be able to draw.

Dlamini, who lives alone in a flat in Durban CBD, learned to grasp objects by crossing his stumps around them. He is able to draw, eat, dress himself, and even shave. Tying a shoelace remains a challenge.

However, operating his touchscreen cellphone is an easy task, and he does it using one wrist to position the phone, and his right to dial numbers on the screen.

“I see myself as an equally capable person. I have always stayed positive and kept pursuing my dream of being an artist. I’m now living my dream,” said Dlamini.

At first he struggled to hold his pencil, but after some practice he finally mastered it

Dlamini said: “It’s been a tough journey, but my neversay-die attitude has kept me going. Many times, I felt like giving up.

“I don’t like to beg, that is why I need to use my talent to make money. Even though I am seen as a disabled person, I’m not at all. I do things that people who have both hands only dream of.”

Among his collection of portraits is one of Nkosi Johnson, South Africa’s famous child Aids activist. Tourists have shown an interest in Johnson’s portrait, but Dlamini said he wouldn’t sell it.

“This portrait is close to my heart and I took a great deal of time working on it. I have turned down great offers. I’m not giving it away. Johnson is my hero,” he said.

Dlamini is grateful to people who have supported him. “There are some really good people out there. I am thankful to them for the support they have given me.”

One customer, Sharon Ngobese, said: “I have been buying his work since 2013 and he has not disappointed.”

Exhibiting in international events is his ultimate dream.

In his view, no one is disabled. “It’s just body parts missing, but we are normal people. Look at the things I do. Am I disabled? Definitely not.”

The only disabled person according to him is a person living without a dream.

“I have a dream of empowering young people who want to pursue careers in art. And one day my dream will be a reality, so don’t be surprised.”