Nobukho Nqaba - reflecting the lives of working class South Africans

A solo exhibition by the young artist opens at Cape Town's Zeitz MoCAA in August.

The ubiquitous chequered "China" bag has developed its own symbolism as the baggage of migration.

These bags, along with workers' overalls, are a central feature of a new exhibition by young artist Nobukho Nqaba which opens at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MoCAA) in Cape Town on 1 August.

Nqaba has exhibited internationally, but says this is the first time she has been given a platform on this scale at home.

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The installation is called Izicwangciso Zezethu, which loosely translates as We make plans.

The artist tells Africa Melane on Weekend Breakfast that she moved around as a child, from Butterworth in the Eastern Cape province to Grabouw and Khayelitsha in the Western Cape.

I'm using objects that remind me of home for example, it's always a personal story.

Nobukho Nqaba, Artist

However, these are stories most South Africans who come from working class backgrounds can identify with.

Nobukho Nqaba, Artist

She wants to remind visitors that the world is unpredictable and that working class people have probably had to overcome obstacles they are not remotely aware of.

I believe in art that educates people and also advocating for change. I want them (visitors) to realise people have dreams, people have ambitions...

Nobukho Nqaba, Artist

If you see a worker walking down the street, don't take it for granted - a lot of people have to make the best with what they have because in most cases, especially in the black community, the odds are mainly against us.

Nobukho Nqaba, Artist

Nqaba says she's known since childhood that art is her calling and was fortunate to have an inspiring teacher in high school.

He would say, 'there are not enough black women in the arts and you guys should be the driving force'.

Nobukho Nqaba, Artist

Image from Nobukho Nqaba's Facebook page

For more on this young artist's vision, take a listen:

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