Ndaba, Godfrey

• Godfrey Sipho Ndaba was born in 1947 in Soweto, Johannesburg and has lived in Soweto all his life. He was one of eleven children. His fascination with art came from an early age as every time it rained he would draw faces in the wet soil. Painting became an obsession as Godfrey made portraits of all his family and friends. • His artistic flair expanded into sculpture as he formed images of cattle and people from clay dug out of the river. • He attended a primary school in Soweto, but went to the Jubilee Art Centre twice a week after school hours, studying under artists such as Cecil Skotness and Sidney Khumalo. He qualified as a professional school teacher who gave up his profession and took up full time art at Ndabeni Art School in Natal province. He creates charcoal and pastel drawings, depicting figures, animals and urban life. He is regarded as one of the best Soweto and South African Artists. • Godfrey passes his skills and techniques on to those he teaches. • He had a studio in Johannesburg, where he ran art classes for young Africans who were interested in studying art. Godfrey encouraged his students to approach art as an observation of life and the environment around them; capture what they see as they see it, and use their art as an outlet for their emotions and frustrations. He taught both sculpture and painting and discouraged his students from selling their work before they were competent and comfortable with what they have produced. • He helped them to develop their own style and to retain their individuality through their work. When he came across committed students he would assist in finding the necessary funding for them to pursue further their careers. One of his past students is teaching art in Germany, having exhibited extensively throughout Europe and USA. Godfrey Ndaba participated in group exhibitions in South Africa, Botswana, Israel, UK, West Germany, USA. His South African exhibitions were held in the Fort Hare University, in the Natalie Knight Gallery, in the Standard Bank in Soweto and in the Hyde Park Gallery. In 1969 he was awarded First Prize at the Fort Hare University exhibition. His work is on display in the University of Fort Hare, in Government buildings in Pretoria, in the National Treasury and in Corporations around South Africa