SOME gogos take painkillers for their aching bodies.
But gogo Dikeledi Mfiko (72) says her cure is painting.
Dikeledi, who also has poor eyesight, said whenever she paints, her pain goes away and her heart guides her.
The gogo from Naledi in Soweto makes a point of painting every day to take away her pain.
She has even run out of canvases and paint.
She said her love of painting started at school.
“I didn’t take it seriously.
“To me, it was just something I used to do to kill time.”
But as she grew up, she realised how much she loved it.
Her dream is to see her paintings on the walls of big museums around the country.
“I appeal to the people who read my story to sponsor me with brushes, paints and board.
“I’ve run out.”
She said those who have bought her art are people who know her.
“I use my pension to buy materials but because it is so little money, I can’t afford the paints I need.”
Gogo said every painting of hers tells a story.
“I don’t want to paint things which have no direction. I’m an artist at heart and make sure this is depicted in my paintings.”
She also does abstract paintings.
The gogo said she never had any training.
“It is something that comes from the heart. I’m guided by something I can’t explain.
“My dream is to empower other gogos because painting heals.
“Staying at home and listening to pains and nagging worries is no fun at all,” she said.
