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 Bridgeman Nyawo - like Tito Zungu - was discovered while in domestic service: he was a gardener. However, he was not to achieve the same success. At that time, as a consequence of the pass laws, the easiest way to get to work legally in a city was via domestic service, as a cleaner, cook, waiter or gardener. Directed to the Art Centre by Pauli Grindrod, Nyawo brought in exquisitely carved and painted birds. A small exhibition was held for him and he was at the opening playing his hand made tin can violin. Daniel Mbongwa Daniel Mbongwa is a Durban sculptor who has consistently sold his work through the African Art Centre. Mbongwa, who was born in 1954 and lives in Umlazi, was taught - and influenced - by Michael Zondi. However, while Zondi's work is often characterised by a. surface patina of chisel marks, Mbongwa's is always satin smooth and made in mthombothi wood which he cuts in the Weenen district. In December 1979 an exhibition was arranged for him at the African Art Centre and, as with Raphael Magwaza, his sculptures reflected a gentleness and lack of angst. Among them were Story Teller, Mother and Child, Music Man, and Young Love. The Art Centre, in the end, may have been responsible for ending what might or might not have been a successful artistic career. In the interests of his financial security a bursary was obtained from the Natal Race Relations Educational Trust to enable him to undertake a carpentry course at the Umlazi Technical College. We understand he is now a successful shopfitter.
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