In 1985 the first marvellously carved and engineered jet aeroplane was brought in by Mziwakhe Mbatha, who lives inland on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast in the Mnini area. His recognition as a carver of importance has since soared.

Mbatha's interest in aeroplanes began while he was working as a cook at Durban International Airport. His keen observation of aircraft is wondrously carried into the construction of the planes, in which he applies a keying method by using hand carved rivets and pegs to join the parts together with great precision.

The first small aeroplane was bought by the Durban Art Gallery, which subsequently bought his first TV Cowboy. The Tatham Gallery, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the Wits Gallery all have fine examples of his jet aeroplanes. His largest, with a wing span of nearly a meter, was air freighted to a buyer in Hong Kong after being taken apart for easy packing by the artist.

Mbatha is also well known for his TV Horse and Rider, a marvellously strong steed with a menacing rider wearing a hat, dark glasses and a gun slung over his shoulder. The idea was apparently inspired by a cowboy film he watched on television. Another outstanding work, now in the Killie Campbell Museum, is a three carriage train with wheels on rails and with signals.

Stimela by Mziwakhe Mbatha 1988. Killie Campbell Museum

His subject matter is extremely varied. He generally carves in mhlambamanzi white wood and uses the traditional burnt wood method for emphasising certain aspects. His sculpture, Zulu Warrior, is far removed from a stereotype of the subject. His wonderful carving. Spotted Dog, is owned by Philip Todres of Cape Town.