It is for this reason that even locally, many young artists have taken that path instead rather than other segments in the art industry. Among those is one Wedu Makoba also famed as Wedu King by his fans and clients.
Makoba has been involved in the tattoo business since 2009 but has told Arts & Culture that he started tattooing professionally in 2014. “I was inspired by seeing rappers such as 50 Cent and Eminem, but what really got me into being a tattoo artist was seeing our local tattoo artist, Malcom & Dr Tattoo on Btv back in 2009 talking about his profession.
In 2010 I visited him to learn the basics of tattooing then the rest I learned through YouTube. I could have chosen any other career. But art is my passion and I would not want to do anything that is not art related,” he explained. Makoba pointed out that the public reacts to his talent in different ways with some showing love for it while others shun it. He said every piece of his work was memorable because he got to share stories with his clients and reasons for their choice of tattoos adding that most of the time the stories behind them were heart warming.
Speaking of challenges, Makoba said one such is financial because people always want to negotiate the fees which results in the business suffering. He added that some people felt that tattoos were satanic which he fails to understand more especially after reading the Bible. “Having a tattoo parlour was my achievement even though it was short-lived due to the COVID-19.
But now I am operating a home based office, which in my books is also an achievement. Aside from tattooing, my other achievement is scooping position three at the recently held regional fashion show in Maun in dressmaking. In the next few years I see myself having clothing brand and a fully furnished tattoo parlour with at least three artists to work with,” he said. Apart from art, Mokaba does fashion designing and piercings. His advice to any aspiring artist is for them to know themselves and not let anyone define them or their craft.
