Introducing Meshack Masuku

My name is Meshack Masuku. I’m a South African potter and ceramics teacher. I am looking to raise the capital funds needed to keep our vital work with disadvantaged teens from the townships of the Eastern Cape.

I came to South Africa during the Apartheid years when I was just 24 year old. By then I had trained for 6 years, starting as a cleaner at a craft pottery in Swaziland (now Eswatini). I then went to Johannesburg and got a job with Sean Mills at Maradadi Pottery Studio where I perfected my throwing skills making tableware.

For the past 45 years my calling has been to train disadvantaged youngsters from the townships and rural areas in the skills needed to become self sufficient potters. Since 2015 my pottery has been located on borrowed land in the South West of our country at Kenton-on-Sea. During these past 9 years, over 60 young men and women have come through my training program. All have achieved new life skills, most have become potters and nine have made an international reputation for themselves. Now, our landlord, who has been extremely generous and supportive needs to sell the land the we occupy with the pottery. He has offered us the chance to buy the land and buildings we occupy on very favourable terms. However, if we cannot raise the capital to make the purchase, he needs to put the land on which the pottery stands on the open market. If that happens, we will have no alternative other than to close our doors. Relocation is beyond our means. We therefore need to raise $175,000 (SA rand 3 million) in the next six months to keep our pottery open and continue to be able to help so many young people.

Meshack’s story

Sean Mills says “In 1978, Meshack walked in off the street in Johannesburg and asked me for a job as a potter at Maradadi Pottery. He had almost no formal education and very limited English. But he could throw pots though so I employed him. Within six months, Meshack not only spoke fluent English, he could throw our whole range of tableware. It didn’t take long for me to see that Meshack was an extraordinary man with not only great pottery skills but huge interpersonal abilities. He has remained both a friend and an influence on my life over the next 47 years. It’s difficult to say whether Meshack’s greatest achievements are in ceramics (of which there have been many including six national awards) or in literally saving the lives of countless kids who would have floundered in the harsh South African economic environment, both before and after the new South Africa came into being.”

Meshack: “Life has been rewarding but not necessarily easy. Our pots sell to tourists so Covid was a big setback. My apprentices sell their pots and give me a percentage to fund their board and lodging and to keep the pottery studio afloat. No sales during the pandemic meant no revenue but still mouths to feed. So we have been unable to make the savings needed to secure the land and our future. Closing the pottery would also mean our current cohort of 14 apprentices will go back to the townships where they would join the ranks of the unemployed (which currently stands at 46% unemployed young people in this country).

From a personal point of view, my family would be in jeopardy. I currently have four adopted children in education as well as two of my own. Sadly, without the pottery studio, we cannot feed or educate them and they will have to take their chances on the streets.

This is why we are relying on the generosity of funders to help us continue our work and protect the future of those who are training at our studio now and in the future.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

What others say:

Majolandile Samuel Dyalvane. CEO, Imiso Ceramics and International Ceramist

It is with great honor and profound gratitude that I write this letter of support for Mr. Meshack Masuku. My journey as an artist and my deep connection to my cultural heritage have been shaped in no small part by his guidance vision and unwavering support. My value system, which forms a foundation of my career, traces its genesis to a pivotal moment in 2001 when I started my training as a potter with Mr. Masuku.

These lessons remain the cornerstone of my personal and professional ethos, informing my work ethic, values, and success as a ceramic artist. I owe much of my career development to Mr.Masuku’s mentorship and can say without hesitation that many artists who have had a privilege of encountering him would share this sentiment. His influence and encouragement continue to ripple through the creative community, fostering growth, resilience, and innovation.

It is with my unequivocal support that I endorse the ongoing work of Mr. Masuku, his dedication to nurturing talent and fostering creative expressions. Not only commendable but indispensable to the cultural and artistic development our society.

Simon Oliver friend and current landlord

I was introduced to Meshack by a mutual friend. He was looking for a home after recovering from losing four of his children in a car accident. After moving in and setting up his pottery with his son and daughter- in- law, he began to make an impact on the community. He found children in the district wanting to learn pottery and taught them the basics so they could then develop their own artistic flair. A number have gone on to set up their own studios. Others have been placed in work in the ceramic industry. While all this is commendable his biggest contribution has been how he has been a model of perseverance in a community that has little to look forward to. He has taught children not only a work ethic that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives but also he has taught them how to be good human beings. I am very glad he came into our lives and know he will succeed in whatever he sets his mind to.

Ms. Sikho Mququ founder of Ckho Ceramique

I was apprenticed to Mr Masuku at his pottery. I gained invaluable skills in running a ceramics studio and there is began to shgare my knowledge with other apprentices. Now, As foumder of Ckho Ceramique in Cape Town I have been able to create a range of pottery as well as teaching aspiring artists. Mr Masuku’s inspiring mentorship has enciouraged and enables me to pursue my craft , both valuing creativity and the community we work in. Meashack stands out not only as a skilled ceramist but as a dedicated mentor who uplifts others.

Max Wright studying for a BA in psychology:

The first time I encountered Meshack I was at a point in my life where I had no clear direction. I felt as if I would have to sacrifice my true life ambitions to make a difference for others for just working to pay the bills. But seeing the people Meshack has helped and given livelihoods to has inspired me to become a psychologist using pottery as a therapy. I can now have a positive impact on young people’s lives as Meshack does.

Fund organizer - Sean Mills

As South Africa is an unsupported country as far as GoFundMe is concerned, Sean Mills who is a UK national will be receiving funds on behalf of Meshack Masuku. All funds raised will be transferred to Meshack’s wife Voyokazi Masuku’s account and used entirely to buy the land and to keep Meshack in his vocation to help South Africa's poorest youngsters.

Chuma Maweni - International Ceramicist

I am ceramic artist with and international footprint. My first interaction with Meshack Masuku was at the Nelson Mandela University in 1997. where Meshack was a lecturer in ceramic studies. He immediately asked me if I had eaten; I admitted I had not. So he fed me. This is an example of the basic kindness that Meshack showed me and many of my peers. Subsequently he wrote to my parents urging them to support me. As a result of his mentorship I now have a Btech Degree in Ceramics . To me Mr Masuku is more than an educator; he is a father figure, mentor and advocate for social justice. His dedication to nurturing young talent and his tireless lobbying for opportunities in ceramics has profoundly shaped my life and career. He is a rare breed in our society and I wholeheartedly support any effort to expand his influence and reach to benefit more youth.

Please click on the link below to see a video of Meshack talking about social mobility and ceramics. Please also feel free to follow and share the account for more pictures and information.

Instagram Link