Durban cartoonist hopes to score at auction

A DURBAN award-winning anti-apartheid cartoonist is to auction some of his artworks to raise funds for young footballers.

Nanda Soobben wants to help locals who cannot afford to train at academies in Britain and Brazil.

His brother, Charlie, who died in the 1980s, played for Dimes United and later joined Verulam Suburbs.

Soobben has also started a foundation named after his brother aimed at reinforcing non-racism in sport.

“I want to debunk the perception that kids from minority communities don’t play football.

“If you went to any school matches, you would see some of the most brilliant coloured, white and Indian boys playing the game. But they seem to hit a glass ceiling and stop playing, which is sorely reflected in the quality of the national game and teams.”

Among the works to go under the hammer on Tuesday is a portrait depicting Nelson Mandela seemingly warning President Jacob Zuma about something.

Another is of Zuma tied to his business associate, Schabir Shaik, who was convicted of fraud in 2005.

There will also be an online bidding system, Soobben said.

The auction will take place at the Durban Country Club.

“I want to make sure these children are not lost to the game, no matter what colour they are. I want to use this foundation to help them to go to elite soccer academies in the UK and Brazil.

“I also want to keep my brother’s legacy alive.”

Soobben expressed concerns about young boys who were brilliant at football but were unable to fill any spaces in any academies.

He was on a crusade to change this.

Soobben’s career spans 25 years, with his work comprising a combination of socio-political statements.

He is also the creative director and founder of the Centre for Fine Art, Animation and Design based in Durban.

Tough he wouldn’t say how much he hoped to bag at the auction, he said he’ d sold some of his works for more than R100 000.