Fanizani Akuda Born in 1932, arrived in Zimbabwe in 1949, from the Chewa tribe. At first, Fanizani worked as a farm foreman, and then in 1960 he worked as a bricklayer on a contract basis. In 1966 he was a farm manager and moved with a friend to a farm in Tengenenge. There he met Tom Blomfield and joined the Tengenenge art community. Fanizani was initially employed to dig serpentine from the ground - approximately 30 tonnes a day. Tom eventually encouraged him to sculpt in stone and in June 1966, Fanizani carved a black serpentine stone. It was a good beginning and more was to come. Fanizani is good at imparting feelings to stones. Each creation has its own character and easily appeals to its beholders. His figures distinguish themselves through several features and subject matter: smiling figures, happy family, interaction between humans and animals often in pairs or groups and unforgettable slit eyes. Using different types of stone, mostly smallish, Fanizani showcases the stone’s inherent beauty but imparts his own moods (which are almost always, positive). His works have widespread appeal internationally. He has exhibited in many countries including Germany, Denmark, USA, Holland, Sweden, Cuba, Australia, South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe, to mention a few.