Meet the amazing homeless woman whose art helps to her find meaning in life

A homeless woman in South Africa has talent for art

She has been selling her art pieces on the streets just to buy food

She has won scholarship to an art school

In what is an inspiring story of the value of talent, a South African woman has turned her love for art into a chance to escape homelessness.

31-year-old Chuma Somdaka lived off a bench in a Cape Town public park for four years. During that time, she sold her art pieces cheaply just to afford her next meal.

Her glimmer of hope shone when a photographer, Sarah Schafer, developed an interest in her talent.


Chuma Somdaka displaying one of her art pieces at the bench she has called home for years
Schafer helped Chuma obtain a scholarship to study fine art at Ruth Prowse School of Art in Woodstock.

At the School, Chuma has full-board accommodation while learning to develop her amazing talent


Chuma won a scholarship to study fine art to further develop her talent
Although Chuma initially found it difficult to adjust to life away from the streets, she soon adapted thanks to support from the new friends she made.

She is happy for the opportunity and says she will visit her bench from time to time. She concluded: “Now, with the support of others, I can blossom. I can prosper. I want to start my own foundation; to inspire other artists."


Chuma now looks forward to inspiring other artists
See more about her story in the video below.