SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Sand artist cashes in with World Cup sculptures created on Durban's main beach

Record ID: 452546

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: WORLD CUP 2010: Sand artist cashes in with World Cup sculptures created on Durban's main beach
  • Date: 2nd July 2010
  • Summary: SAND ART OF MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 17th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA38POMM21VFEOB4EXC4GN4GIXS
  • Story Text: A Mozambique sand artist has been cashing in on the World Cup by creating representations of stadiums, soccer players and the World Cup itself out of the wet sand of Durban's main beach.
    Unemployed Fernando Eduardo travelled to South Africa eight years ago from his home in Maputo, Mozambique to find employment. Having failed to gain access to the formal sector, Eduardo found himself on Durban's beach front, where, working with no more than a shovel and his hands, he turned to constructing giant sand sculptures.
    With Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium hosting seven World Cup matches including the second semi-final on July 7, thousands of soccer fans have been in the city to witness Eduardo's efforts.
    "This is Soccer City, Johannesburg, capacity 94,700 seats," Eduardo told Reuters TV. "This one is the Limpopo one in Polokwane, Peter Mokaba Stadium. Capacity is 45,000 seats. Moses Mabhida, capacity, 75,000."
    Working in tandem with two other artists, Eduardo explained that each of the stadiums constructed on the beachfront took an average of three days to complete.
    The artists earn their income from onlookers who stop to photograph the sculptures and make a small cash donation.
    "I think if some guy is enterprising enough to build something like that and people give him money for that that is great," said local teacher Jennie Bircher.
    Hotel occupancy in the city of Durban has been recorded at 80 percent during this World Cup and increasing to full capacity on match days.
    Before the group match between Brazil and Portugal, Eduardo said that he made in excess of USD 157 from visitors to the beachfront.
    Beach sand is dampened with sea water to assist in the construction process.
    "I take sea water because it has salt. If I use sea water it makes it strong. If I use tap water, it breaks because it has no salt," explained 21-year-old, Jabulani Ncayiyana, from Port Elizabeth.
    Crafting his first World Cup trophy from artwork seen on a soft drink can, Ncayiyana said the sculpture took only three hours to construct.
    "The nice thing about it is that it is creating employment for somebody who is not employed. He is an artist, he is passionate about his work and it shows," said local resident Faizel Adams. "We appreciate it and we partake in it, and it is part of the culture."
    However the ingenuity shown by these artists is no is no easy route to riches. Beach artists are never far away from their work due to the fierce competition between rival artists to secure the best locations on the beach front. Vandalism on art work from fellow artists is commonplace.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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