Malvern Shekede ; Metal Sculptures, Golden Heart

Growing up near Harare International Airport, Malvern enjoyed a comfortable childhood. He never dreamed that by the time he reached adolescence he would “have to suffer life as a man as a boy and look after the whole family.”

Born in 1971, Malvern Shekede was the 4^th of 5 sons. Both his parents worked for Air Zimbabwe and also enjoyed a small food production home industry to supplement their income. By 1984, however, the Shekede family life circumstances had altered drastically.

His father had developed a drinking problem and subsequently lost his job. He didn’t receive any benefits since he was fired for inappropriate conduct. The family had to move out of their company home. His health deteriorated and they sold their other property to pay for his hospital bills. By the time Malvern’s father died, they had spent much of their life savings on his expenses. When his mother lost her job in 1985, Malvern stepped up to take the family burden onto his young shoulders.

“Going to school was difficult. I had to school myself by selling tomatoes, vegetables and trying to do everything to survive. Of the 5 sons, Malvern has been the greatest family man. His oldest brother had his hands full providing for his family. The second born was in college, the third born had died from a sickness and the youngest was his dependant.

It was then that Malvern began his career in craft, sculpting wire motorbikes and helicopters to sell to tourists and across the border in South Africa. “All the money I got, I used to look after my family.” He explains nobly. He travels back and forth between his family home base in Zimbabwe and Cape Town to achieve this exhausting feat. Back home, his mother has suffered a stroke and broken her leg. His wife and two young boys (aged 8 and 2,5 years) reside with her but he is their sole provider. He feels guilty that at times he wasnt able to even pay rent let alone send money home to his mother.

Times have been tough as Malvern has not yet settled into Cape Town living. The odd jobs he had obtained from other sources were exploitative of his desperation and hazardous to his health.

“We are trying to organize ourselves…(but) I’ve got a very big load behind me.” He sighs.

Malvern is a special man with simple dreams.

“I’m not after big things. The most that I want is to live a normal life and give my family food. Although I’m aiming high, for the first time I just want a decent job.”

We at African Home, see great potential in this humble man. His sensitive nature, special creative ingenuity and versatile skill make him a treasured member of the team. We are inspired by his hard and serious work ethic. He is driven by his sense of family responsibility and his determination to transcend his plight. As he explains:

“ I’m very serious about my job. I like my job. I have the opportunity to get a plot in Zimbabwe to build my own house. It’s my greatest dream to build my own home and to get to pay it off.”

Since Malvern has joined African Home, he has already found a way into our hearts. We feel fortunate to be able to rely on such an honest and dependable individual. He is one of the few crafters we know who can sculpt magnificent metal musicians and other human forms. However, he has also proven his skills in wire and beadwork and tin can creations. We hope that our relationship with Malvern grows from strength to strength and wish his family health and recovery.