Some years before becoming the overall winner of the 1986 University of Zululand exhibition, Zamokwakhe Gumede had brought small carvings into the African Art Centre. I well remember one of the first which was a small carving of a football player, made in white wood with details of clothing and laced boots done in the traditional burnt wood method.

Another was of a man in a long overcoat holding something round and flat. The title was Shining, which was interpreted in rather true white liberal style as some kind of political statement referring to poverty. It transpired that this statuesque man was merely selling a large mushroom for a shilling.

In 1985 Gumede was given space to work at the Community Arts Workshop, some tutoring by sculpture Gert Swart and some tools. He made tremendous progress. Before this he had worked with a carpenter at the Mariannhill Mission, where he had acquired an understanding and feel for working with wood.

When the Community Art Workshop was forced to close Gumede was given working space by architects Paul Mikula Associates at Roberts House, where he exhibited in the Kwasha group exhibition, showing some major and outstanding pieces. After this he received a commission for a large sculpture for Oakford Priory at Verulam, which he titled Jesus Loves People.

Gumede's success illustrates the impact on a talented artist of a little assistance with skills and working space. After this period in Durban he returned to his home in Bergville and later moved to Johannesburg. However, he found conditions there difficult and he now works once again from Paul Mikula associates.

An exhibition of Zamowakhe's work was held at the Café Geneve Gallery in Durban in July 1986. Paul Sibisi's opening address gives deep insight into the artist and the survival of the creative spirit despite the vissitudes of life:

"Zamokwakhe was born in 1955 in Langkloof, an African area near Berguitle in KwaZulu-Natal. His foremost artistic experience was clay modelling of cattle as a shepherd. What he will not forget are his late father's words: 'You will be an artist one day'. His educational standard was up to Standard Four in 1969.

"Then began a tempestuous life. typical of most black South Africans. As a labourer he found himself laying water pipes in Pietermaritzburg. As a workseeker in 1974 he migrated to Johannesburg and was employed by Denny Mushrooms. Still unsatisfied he moved to Pretoria and found himself in a plumbing contract.

"Gumede says his mind was clouded by what sprung up in the 1976 riots...Finally be decided to go back home. At home he was recruited by KwaTheba and posted to Welkom St Helena gold mine. Much dissatisfied by working conditions he resorted to taking lessons in first aid treatment…But then tribal differences marred his working stance after just nine months.

"Thereafter he returned home again. He found himself employed at the Drakensburg Power Station between May and august 1977. His dearest Father passed away in September 1977. After that he was in and out of prison because of mystery surround­ing his father's death - faction fighting broke out at his home place Bergville.

"While held in custody before the trial he was moved by a mark on the wall and scratched it to create a form resembling a jail warder and his wife. That caused a stir which came up at the trial and cost him a two year jail sentence, but he only served 18 months.

"In 1981 his mother advised him to move to Durban, so as to grab any opportunity of exploring his talents. During his stay at home he went on a hunting spree and found a small  log shaped like a snake, and took it and carved a representation of a snake. In 1981 he moved to Clermont...and carved figures.

"...Someone suggested that he take the carvings to Marian/lift Mission where be met Sister Johanna. Sister Johanna's encouragement lea. him to some German carpenters who instructed him in carpentry. In 1985 he took some carvings to the...African Art  Centre. The same year he came to the Community Art Workshop under Cert Swart, and enjoyed the workshop spirit - advice, care, criticism etc.

"His sculpture tells about his life experiences - the good and the bad. Since joining the Community Art Workshop he has been carving with the back­ing of Paul Mikula, preparing feverishly for his solo exhibition. His main wish is to work one day in a fully equipped studio, and secondly to guide young aspiring sculptors."