We are always grateful to see Africans making change to their lives despite hard circumstances. Mathilda Mamatseane (35) was born and raised in Soweto, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province in South Africa. She completed her matric at Vuwani High School which is found in Johannesburg Soweto, enrolled for Diploma in Human Resources Management with Damelin, B -Tech Degree in Human Resource Management and Postgraduate labor law with University of Johannesburg and wish to further her studies and do her masters and other relevant qualifications.
“My life changed during Covid -19 pandemic, I lost my job, got injured, left with disability and am now using crutches. I started new life from scratch, no job and I have been staying with my 88 years mother who is also living with disability and uses a wheelchair. It has been tough and thought it was the end of my life. One day I decided to make craft using natural trees, it was a hobby for me until realising it is indeed a gift from God. I made my first motar and pestle using a tree called mutamba - pfunda, my mother liked it a lot and I started making wooden furniture, kitchen utensils and other items. I entered national competition called Murumba Cultural Parade and won under the category of Art and craft in 2023, I also heard about a beauty pageant for people living with disability, I entered and am now a finalist”, she said.
A beautiful Miss South Africa disability 2024 finalist loves engaging much in community projects. She donated sanitary pads to more than 100 learners from Vhufuli Primary in Vhembe District, Limpopo Province in South Africa on the 13th June 2024.
On the 26th June 2024, she donated 100 sanitary to over 160 women and children including clothing for more than 150 beneficiaries (both males and females) at Makwarani Village, Kondelelani healthcare center which have over 200 people and wish to have given more than what she have given on the day.
“I could not afford to buy sanitary pads and other essentials when I was grow up especially when I was in school and I had to ask teachers to help me. It affected my school attendance and my self-confidence as a student, so I know the pain young girls are going through"
“My charity work catered for all gender not only women and but also man and children who are in need ,on the 28 June 2024, I celebrated youth month by making difference to the rural communities. I donated professional soccer balls to a Male football club team found in Gondeni la ha Mabilu in Limpopo province, South Africa, for people who are between 16 to 24 years of age called Gondeni United FC . I did that in order to encourage young people like me and for upcoming football players to believe in themselves and to take soccer to be more than just a hobby and make career out of it but also I wish to see more soccer development in the rural communities because young people are capable of doing more ,they sometimes just lack opportunities ”.
Speaking about the challenges, Mathilda said it is not easy to make craft as a person living with disability. She does everything alone and its hard doing it without proper machinery and a proper working place. She use natural trees found in Venda and find it hard to transport them. The other challenge she raised is bullying people living with disability and being undermined .
“The roads in Venda are difficult when I use crutches and no proper roads, when it’s raining it’s worse, no paved roads”, she concluded.
PRICE LIST:
Materials used -strong natural trees eg kiaart trees ,mahogany ( mutondo , mutokota , mutambapfunda, and many others.
1. HAND-MADE TABLE WITH CHUNKY THICK LEGS AND MEDIUM LEGS
Medium Farmhouse table / coffee table: R9,999,00
Large Farmhouse table(thick chunky legs )
R15,999,00
2. HAND MADE (WOODEN CRAFTED SIDE TABLES
( 3 wooden thin legs )
medium R3,999,00
Large R4,999,00
3.VINTAGE BENCH HAND-MADE
Medium R3,500
Large R3,999,00
4. KITCHEN UTENSILS
Hand-made carved wooden
tray
Small R500
Medium R 600
Large R800
5.Carved Wooden Bowls and plates Hand made plates of natural various wood from
small 500
Medium size R600
Large R800
Xtra Large fruit carved bowl
R1200
Carved wooden spoon
R200
Mortar and Pestle ( natural wood)
small R800
Medium R1000
Natural wooden carved calabash from
R5000
Decorated calabash
From R200
Key holders: R150 to R200
Rise Africans Newspaper wishes Mathilda all the best! We cannot wait to see her making it to the top and crowning Miss South Africa disability 2024 title.
More information about how to support her craft:
Mathilda Mamatseane
Call: 0765713287
Whatsapp: 060 7113250
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