Two young Port Elizabeth artists will see their work featured on Santam’s 2019 calendar – a project that has positive spinoffs for children across South Africa.
Kwezi Mani, 9, from Victoria Park Grey Primary, and Licebo Dubase, 13, from Erica Girls Primary, produced artworks that were considered to be uniquely creative in the Santam Child Art Project’s 2018 competition.
The 13 winners were chosen from 3,772 entries nationwide.
The young entrants were given the theme “When I’m Big”, with their brief being to express originality and interpret the theme creatively.
The Child Art Project started in 1963 with the aim of developing the notion that art is a valuable aspect of human development.
Santam corporate brand manager Siphokazi Madlingozi, who was also one of the judges, said art was essential in developing motor skills.
“The process of creating art is great for helping children develop their fine motor skills.
“Secondly, it helps children express themselves and gives us an amazing view into their lives that they may not be able to express verbally,” she said.
Victoria Park Grey Primary School art teacher Cecilia Ferreira shared the same view, saying art was essential for every aspect of learning.
“Kwezi is my first winner and I find it so fascinating that he is very small but when I ask the class to draw big, he always has the biggest [illustration].
“Art is important for everything and it is completely underrated.
“Art as therapy is amazing, I always watch how well kids with ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder] excel in my class and shy kids like Kwezi get to express themselves and build their confidence,” Ferreira said.
Kwezi said his mother was very proud of him and supported his dream of being a soccer player.
He said his artwork was inspired by French football player Kylian Mbappé.
“I love soccer and when I grow up, I want to be a soccer player. Mbappé is my favourite player but I support Sundowns [locally],” Kwezi said.
Licebo, who aspires to be an architect, said too often people depicted architects next to buildings and she thought she would rather draw one still busy planning a house.
“When I drew my artwork, I wanted to look like I was doing everything from scratch. I’m very creative and when I was told I could study something that involves art, I chose to be an architect.
“I’m very excited because I’ve never won anything before. My mother screamed when I told her – she was very proud of me,” Licebo said.
Santam corporate socialinvestment manager Tersia Mdunge said it was surprising to see how art stimulated the imaginations of pupils.
“The uniqueness and creativity from these young individuals is truly unparallelled.”
She said while recognising the role of creative arts, the Child Art competition provided an opportunity for teachers and pupils to receive recognition for their efforts.