Teamwork makes the dream work

“I dedicate this work to all the working-class mothers, especially those who live and work on the farms, who courageously face life’s challenges while tirelessly caring for their families. These women embody resilience and strength, balancing countless responsibilities with unwavering love and determination.”

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Irma Stern Museum curator and education coordinator, Nobukho Nqaba, said this after graduating with a master’s in fine art (MFA) on Monday, 2 September. Her husband, Themba Nqinileyo has also been capped, having graduated with a master’s in social development. Naturally, this week presents an opportunity for much celebration in their household.

“Themba and I come from challenging backgrounds, and we’ve dedicated ourselves to improving not only our own lives but also the lives of those we hold dear. Both of us attended township schools in Khayelitsha, where English wasn’t our first language. It was only when we arrived at UCT that we had to fully immerse ourselves in English – not because the language is a measure of success or intelligence, but because it’s the primary medium of instruction at UCT, and proficiency in it is essential for navigating the educational material and communication,” Nobukho reflected.

“Our success is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community.”

“From the moment we wrote our first essays to the day we completed our theses and graduated, to getting that notification to graduate [with a] master’s; every step has been a monumental achievement for us. We were fortunate to receive support from various people: lecturers, mentors, and others who saw potential in us, even when we struggled to see it in ourselves. These individuals gave us strength and opportunities, and because of their belief in us, we were able to work hard and ultimately achieve our goals.

“Our success is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community. It reminds us that no matter where you come from, with the right support and commitment, you can overcome challenges and rise above your circumstances.”

Nobukho’s work uses photography, performance, book making and recently video art and has been featured in both national and international exhibitions and publications. In 2012, she was awarded the Tierney Fellowship. Her artwork explores themes of home and opportunity, using materials like checkered plastic bags and workers’ blue overalls to reflect on migration and labour.

Unwavering support

Having been a student, then a staff member at the university, Nobukho points to “unwavering support” from various individuals, which has defined her journey thus far. “One of my master’s supervisors was also my supervisor in my fourth year, which added wonderful continuity to my learning experience. The positive experiences I had in the photography department during my undergraduate years were a key reason I chose to pursue my MFA at Michaelis School of Fine Art. My photography lecturers believed in and encouraged me, even before I fully understood the significance of creating the kind of art I do today.”

Overcoming grief was assuaged by Nobukho and Themba doing it together, laser focused on completing their studies. “During our studies, we lost a family member who was very close to us and played a significant role in our lives. This was an incredibly difficult period, as we had to navigate the process of grieving while also trying to complete our studies. Being married is also a full-time commitment, and you can’t just check out when things get tough. We had to find a balance between our work, our marriage, and our studies. Naturally, something had to give, and we had to make sacrifices,” she explained.

“For example, activities we once enjoyed together as a couple had to be put on hold because our weekends and evenings were dedicated to studying. I had a studio at Michaelis where I would go after work and on weekends to focus on my art making and writing. We created a small corner in the studio for Themba, where he could do his readings and writings. This setup was incredibly helpful because we shared a common goal and seeing each other working hard was a source of motivation.

“This journey has been anything but easy. We didn’t finish our master’s degrees in record time, and at one point, we were both disappointed. For me, it felt like a failure because it was the first time I hadn’t completed a course on schedule. But we frequently encouraged each other, reminded ourselves of why we were doing this, and focused on the importance of earning these qualifications.”

Latest work

Her latest canvas which includes a group exhibition she is part of, titled Points of Resonance, will be doing its second leg in the next couple of weeks in New York. There’s a possibility that it will continue to travel after its time in New York.

“Additionally, I’m currently part of an outdoor exhibition titled “Cargo” in Saint-Nazaire, France. My photographs are on display there, and I also created an installation inside a shipping container as part of the exhibition.”