Ceramicist Nesta Nala dies at 65
by Francesca Verga
Nesta Nala, one of South Africa's most prolific ceramicists has died. Nala was born in 1940 in the area of Oyaya in Inkhanyezi, in the Thukela Valley near Middledrift, Zululand. She came from a family of potters, and was taught the traditional skill of making beer-pots by her mother. In turn, she passed on these skills to three of her daughters, Jabu, Thembi and Zanele, all of whom have produced vessels for markets both locally and internationally. Nala never married, preferring to support her family by making ceramics.
Nala's work was chosen to represent South Africa at the Cairo International Biennale for ceramics in 1994. She was awarded the FNB Vita exhibition award in 1995 and in 1999 she participated in the Smithsonian Institute's Folk Life Project in Washington. Her work is represented in major public collections in South Africa as well in private collections. She has exhibited locally and internationally.
In recognition of Nala's life and work there is a collection of her work currently on view at the Durban Art Gallery.
Opens: July 20
Closes: December 31
Durban Art Gallery
2nd Floor City Hall, Smith Street, Durban
Tel: (031) 311 2262
Email: brownc@prcsu.durban.gov.za
