“I’m selling my magical drum”

The internationally acclaimed artist and sculptor, Samson Mudzunga, has dropped a bombshell. The 66-year-old artist from of Dopeni in Vhembe is about to sell his world-famous fish drum.

Mudzunga is known for his mystic sculptures and spiritually charged performances the world over. He stated this week that, for economic reasons, he is putting his coveted piece of art on the market. The drum, however, which has been exhibited for over ten years in- and outside the country, is not going for peanuts. A potential buyer will have to fork out R2 million for it.

“There are people who are using me to enrich themselves. For more than 10 years these people have made lots of money while I, the owner of the work, got nothing. After giving the drum a lot of thought, I decided it was time for me to sell it," he said.

Mudzanga said that he hoped a buyer would come forth. "I will be happy knowing that at least something has been paid that could sustain me for some time,” he said.

Mudzunga could not point out who was making money out of his drum, but sources have pointed out that the drum has been overseas for years and locally under the control of agents. He said that the drum was very close to his heart as he could communicate with his ancestors through the same drum.

In 1996, Mudzunga shocked the world and irritated local traditional leaders when he conducted a mock funeral of himself in the mystic fish drum. This was followed by another exhibition in 2000 of the same nature.

This uncompromising artist has also earned the wrath of local traditional leaders over Lake Fundudzi. In some instances the cases ended up in court. “I am very close to Lake Fundudzi. I gain my powers from this lake and I also communicate with my ancestors through dreams,” said Mudzunga.

Date:07 March 2014

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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