While some people had to undergo training to become a professional sculptor, the situation is different for Shadrack Hlungwani, a resident of Valdezia village.
His love of art became clear at the age of eight. Hlungwani said that he had won several arts and crafts competitions while he was still a learner at Valdezia Primary and Rivubye High School between 2004 and 2011.
After passing his Grade 12 in 2011, Hlungwani had told himself that his artwork would be his only source of income for his entire life. He then started to make big wooden and clay statues of the world's prominent leaders. He also does artificial stone decorations.
According to him, some of the statues he made shortly after he had matriculated, include one of the former mayor of the Makhado Municipality, the late David Mutavhatsindi. He said that the former mayor was impressed by his artwork during his visit to the village on a mayoral imbizo. The then mayor bought the statue and promised to find sponsors for the promising artist. Unfortunately for Hlungwani, the former mayor passed away before he could acquire sponsorship for him as promised.
Hlungwani said that some of his artwork had been exported to several overseas countries, including Germany and France, over the past years. Other statues of prominent local leaders that he made include those of former president Nelson Mandela, Thovhele Vho-Calvin Nelwamondo and the sitting state president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa.
Asked whether he followed in the footsteps of any of his parents or forefathers in his sculptural work, the 31-year-old Hlungwani said that the research he had done about his family tree showed that none of his family members had had a love of art.