Ardmore Excellence Fund News

July 2008

Medical Support For Nhlanhla Nsundwane

Nhlanhla has working closely with Fee at Ardmore since 1989, helping to establish the unique style and artistry that Ardmore has become world famous for. He is one of the leading sculptors with works having been exhibited all over the world including Christies of London, Bonhams and Groote Schuur.

Nhlanhla was unfortunately born with severe club foot on his left leg and was forced to adapt to this condition through many difficult years, due to insufficient funds being available for treatment. An operation paid for by The Excellence Fund in 2000, proved to be unsuccessful due to the severity of his condition and Nhlanhla continued to battle fiercely with his leg and foot. At the end of 2007, Nhlanhla moved from Ardmore The Berg to Ardmore Caversham in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands so that he did not have to walk so far to the studio and back home every day.

This is when Fee, along with the Excellence Fund representatives, decided to utilize medical funds for Nhlanhla to consult with an Orthopedic Surgeon. The result is that Nhanhla underwent a successful amputation of his lower leg, and has recovered marvelously. He is zooting around on crutches and this new energy has re-energized his sculpting. We are all delighted that Nhlanhla has found himself again. To assist, the Excellence Fund is sponsoring Nhlanhla with a monthly payment during his recovery, along with his payments as a freelance artist.   

More good news is that a prosthetic leg is already in the process of being custom made for him.