Vuyo Mayesa embraced his creative calling and now it benefits the community through his Mayibuye 52 Arts Project. (Image: Redbull Amaphiko)
For Vuyo Mayesa, it didn’t come as a surprise when he left the shackles of a career as an educational instructor to pursue his dream of being a writer. He knew the creative life was the only option for him.
His love for literature was honed while growing up surrounded by his father’s – Rochestor Mafafo – artwork.
He told Redbull Amaphiko that the conventional outlets for his art were limited, especially at school. “I just got tired of the same old, boring assignments. They weren’t exciting. They didn’t inspire one to think. So I told the teacher one day, and I suggested my own topics and assignments. I had always been inspired by my father’s work.
“I would look at his notes and scribbles, and watch how he would transform them into paintings. But it was hard for some of my other classmates. When you are not exposed to reading and writing, it’s a struggle.”
PASSION OR THE SMART THING TO DO?
Coming from an artistic family – his father is a painter, sculptor and musician – Mayesa was caught between following his creative passions and studying something that will pay the bills.
“I hated studying, hey. I became rebellious. And I just dropped out,” he said. “My parents thought I had failed but when they got my transcript they saw that I had done well. I just couldn’t do it anymore.”
After dropping out university he was still stuck in the system of a working man. He was an Adult Basic Education instructor for two years before deciding he had enough of it.
“I have a problem when leadership doesn’t recognise leadership abilities and talent. I’ve tried to join a number of NGO’s, but I’m very vocal. They always feel threatened by me. They exclude me, try to oust me. I’ve even been ousted from a project I developed.”
DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY
Today, Mayesa fights social ills through his Mayibuye 52 Arts Project.
Based in Galeshewe, Kimberley, the project helps artists develop their business acumen so that they can expand their footprint. In turn, the artists address unemployment, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination through their work.
Additionally, it aims to revitalise townships and use public space for artists to be discovered and assist them with access to markets through artist broking, collaborations and commissioned projects.
Schools also call on Mayesa and his team to help students and learners with writing, research, developing scripts and sharing ideas.
Before starting Mayibuye, Mayesa formed Expression Culture to foster the culture of reading and writing in Galeshewe.
Mayesa told Redbull Amaphiko: “It was packed, and then I realised there was a market for it.”
Expression Culture was based on the indigenous knowledge system of oral culture and storytelling. It also included modern forms of oral expression, like slam poetry and rap.
