Beautiful and quality ceramics such as cups, plates and pots have been part of our lives since time immemorial.

Today, the products continue to evolve and come in different shapes, colours as well as styles and are in our homes and offices.

However, looking at most good ceramics found in local stores or our homes, one is quick to conclude that they are imported. Yet, these are original products made by our brothers and sisters right here in Malawi.

Pledge Sambo, 39, is one of the creatives behind beautiful ceramic products found in the country. He has made a name for himself for producing ceramics for over 16 years from his Lumbadzi base in Dowa District.

Trading under Potter’s House Ceramics, he produces ceramics with a distinctive artistic style, which sets him apart from others on the market.

Sambo: Determination and passion kept me going

Sambo boasts that his products are a set of unique art which compete at international level. 

“There are several people who are involved in the production of ceramics in the country. But what really makes me stand out is my creativity and sense of style. My art is not restricted to traditional ceramics, but flexible to other modern designs which compete at international level.

“Thus, I can do ceramics of any style,” said the creative, who originally comes from Lusangazi, Mzuzu.

Among other products, Sambo makes tablewares, sinks, cups, plates, bowls, garden pots, soap and toilet paper holders.

It is not easy to become an expert in ceramics. Among other institutions of higher learning, the University of Malawi, formerly Chancellor College, offers a full degree programme in ceramics.

But Sambo said he did not go through the corridors of any university to acquire skills in ceramic production. Rather, it is a talent which was passed on to him through in his family.

He said: “It all started at the age of eight when I used to watch my grandmother making clay pots in the village. I would always sit next to her every time she made the pots and this inspired me to learn.

“I started by moulding cars and dolls using the clay before trying the pots.”

Sambo did his primary school at Kapichi in Luchenza, Thyolo before going to Phwezi Boys Secondary School in Rumphi.

He said his skills in ceramics were perfected by his father in South Africa.

Sambo said: “My father is a professional potter and master mould maker. I had to follow him to South Africa where he groomed me to become a competent ceramics maker. However, this was not an easy ride. It was a journey full or try and error. But determination and passion kept me going.”

The artist has been producing ceramics for 26 years now, earning a living out of it. He also trains others in ceramic production.

Sambo said ceramics is an important art which offers various opportunities.

“Ceramics never fade and it is different from other forms of art. It gives one opportunities to experiment different kinds of clay because not all clay is suitable for pottery,” he said.

Sambo said ceramics is a source of employment as many people earn a living through it.

However, he bemoaned lack of resources such as good clay as a major setback to ceramics production in Malawi.

Sambo said: “You need to find special and suitable clay for ceramics production. Unfortunately, we don’t have such quality of clay in Malawi; hence, we import it from South Africa. Yes, we even import clay to make our industry work.”

Grace Moyo, a ceramics fanatic, said though she has never sampled Sambo’s creations, it is great to notice growth of the art in Malawi.

She said: “I have two coffee mugs made locally and one soup bowl. Malawi has got a lot of talented artists. This is proof that in Malawi we have enough talented artists to make whatever ceramics that we need. All we have to do is support them.”

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