SA: Zimbabwean Abagail Ncube’s painful journey to find her talent

By rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za

A single mother of four makes waves at the Rosebank Market with her art skills.

Abigail Ncube, from Zimbabwe, came to South Africa when she was 18 after finishing her matric..

She never knew that she could draw until 2019 when she was in the hospital with a terrible infection that left her unable able to do anything. She had to learn how to sit and walk again with the operations she had.

“The doctors told me to wake up and try sitting every day otherwise I’ll never walk again. I had to find something to do while I sit- so I started drawing and the doctors were impressed,” said Ncube.

When she was finally discharged, she was given some wool by a friend, and she decided to try crocheting clothing for her daughter. “One day someone saw a post I did on WhatsApp and asked if I did it and I said yes. She asked me to do a bikini for her which she loved so much and sent me pictures wearing it and since then, I took crocheting seriously.”

She then learned to make a lot of things including dolls, mostly cartoon characters guided by her children who love cartoons and also gaming characters. She admired art from a young age and used to do a lot of crafts including, handmade jewellery.

Her plans and wishes are that one day her leg can be healed and that she will be able to walk again without the use of crutches. She dreams of making more arts and crafts without any pain in her body as she lives with chronic pain daily.

“I was given a free stall to sell my creations at Rosebank Market. It’s so helpful as all the money I make is for me to help in the house with the kids. I’m thankful to them.”