Dominic Benhura honoured with a doctorate.

Zimbabwean sculptor Dominic Benhura was recently honoured with a doctorate by the Women’s University in Africa. The prestigious accolade was bestowed in him by the faculty of Social and Gender Transformative Sciences.

Benhura is famous for his uniquely sculpted pieces which embody both modern and ancient norms. His work includes animals,plants, people and other natural resources. Benhura has toured several countries in Europe, America, Asia and several African countries to market his work. He has also conducted workshops in Holland, Belgium, Germany and the U.K.

Benhura was excited at the recognition and gushed,”It is indeed humbling to be recognized by your own people and a university in such a way”. He joins other prominent names such as the late Oliver Mtukudzi who was awarded a doctorate by the same university. Other celebrities such as Thomas Mapfumo and Stella Chiweshe were also awarded doctorate degrees by the university of Zimbabwe. Benhura infuses emotion and natural features with his work.

He said most people have a misconception that sculpted items are spiritual and are used as a medium o communicate with spirits. He said that might have been the case in ancient days, but he is from another generation and ha work bears no piritual connection. Benhura is indeed talented and his work speaks for itself.He uses a variety of stones and always has new ideas for each collection that he makes. He said his biggest inspiration are his four children and his mother. He stated that the motherly love that he experienced as he was growing up is embodied in his work.