Artist behind 'provocative' cartoons

HARD NEWS: SIWELA USES HUMOUR, ART TO ILLUSTRATE EVENTS, STIR CONVERSATIONS

- Thando Nondywana

Cartoonist and illustrator Themba Siwela turns a variety of hard news headlines into thought-provoking visuals.

With over two decades in the game, his pen and paper have earned him a spot as one of the leading cartoonists in the country, using humour and art to illustrate news events and spark conversations.

As he sat for this interview, responding to a question about what fascinates him about his work, Siwela said: "Everyday I deal with different matters and that is what I find interesting. It brings a lighter side of complex issues."

Born in KwaMashu in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, his journey began as a young boy with the love for drawing. He was inspired by his elder brother, who was also an artist.

"I grew up in the township when others were out playing, I was busy fiddling with paper, drawing. My elder brother was an artist, and that's where I inherited and honed most of my skills. As young as three or four, I was already passionate about drawing," Siwela reflected.

The passion became a calling. "I realised then that I was gifted, and it was something I wanted to pursue. I remember a teacher asked us what we wanted to do when we grew up. Other kids said they wanted to be doctors or lawyers. I proudly said I wanted to be a big artist. The teacher scolded me and said he didn't expect artists in his class, only professionals," Siwela said.

Undeterred, he pursued his dream with a determination to prove that art could be a viable career.