The famous fine artists known only as Meshu has rubbed shoulders with the pioneers of African liberation on his journey as an artist and has sold his paintings all over the world.

Mohau ‘Meshu’ Mokitimi, a father of nine children from three different wives, who possesses a great talent of fine art describes his journey as a mixture of politics, cartoons and realistic drawing. At the age of 96, Meshu has a career that spans over 70 years and is still passionate about fine art. In this wide-ranging interview with Metro Travel’s Mapamela Khanyela, Meshu shares his story and other related issues.

Mapamela Khanyela (MK): Please tell us, who is Meshu Mokitimi?

Mokitimi: I am Mohau Meshu Mokitimi. I was born on the 15th March 1926 in Qeme, Maseru. I grew up like every Mosotho boy, looking after animals and it was at that time I realized my talent of art. I attended school at St. Barnabus, Masite and completed my standard 5 there. From there I went to the South African mines to work. My stint in the mines was very short. I met the late Dr.Ntsu Mokhehle in 1948 who encouraged me to go back home and pursue my studies. I came back to Lesotho and completed my standard 6 at St. Barnabus. From there I was admitted at Lesotho High School and did form A. I was expelled from Lesotho High School together with other 11 students while doing form B in1954 because of our interaction with the late Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle who was a popular politician. I was also trained at Lerotholi Polytechnic under the Department of Draftsmanship that exposed me to the world of art. To sharpen my art skills, I attended a series of workshops in Africa and the world and more people appreciated my work. It was through my artwork that I disseminated some messages. I used to make cartoons for a local newspaper. I remember one of my cartoons works in 1969 when I drew Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle and Dr. Leabua Jonathan portraying political changes at that time.

MK: Tell us about the name Meshu

Mokitimi: Meshu is a Hebrew name meaning Moses. My father was in World War I, digging trenches for smooth movement of the train where he became friends with a Palestinian man by the name of Meshu. They vowed to name their first-born children with both Sesotho and Palestinian names respectively because of their friendship. When I was born in 1926, I was named Mohau, but my grandfather insisted that I should be named Meshu because of the promise my father made. The name Meshu became popular and dominated my Sesotho name.

MK: You have been an artist for more than seven decades, tell us more about you as an artist

Mokitimi: I realized from the early age that I am talented in art. I remember drawing my teacher while at primary level. Teachers and students loved my artwork because they saw it as a true image of our teacher. I first sold my artwork in 1946 to my friend Lira Matsau Kaka. He paid me 50 cents; it was a good money at that time. Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle also bought some of my cartoons in 1948. My exposure was still at amateur level. In 1969, I cartooned Dr. Ntsu Mokhehle and Dr. Leabua Jonathan who were political leaders. The cartoons were loved by many people. I was trained for three months in Kumasi School of Drawing in Ghana. In my journey as an artist, I interacted with people like Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana. My artwork has been sold throughout the world. I remember one American woman who bought most of my artwork for US$15,000, and it was the highest amount of my sales. The series of trainings I attended helped me to perfect my craft. I use pencil, oils and charcoal for the artwork. I am not a realistic artist. My artwork is more into cartoons because that is where I perfected my work. I describe my artwork as African expressionism because Africans have always had their own way of showing art. Women usually show their art through litema, our traditional decoration on houses.

MK: You have been an artist for many years, what are your greatest achievements?