Art saved him from a life of drugs and gangsterism and now, it is his time to pass the torch to the next generation of artists.
A drug and gang boss who turned his life around a mere 11 years ago, Mark Jeneker has made great strides in spreading the power of art as a means of reform and transformation.
From the opening of his art studio, countless holiday programmes, school art programmes and the launch of his Mark Jeneker Foundation, he has changed the lives of many primary school children by sharing his love for art and now he is thinking ahead.
Starting with a group of 10 interns in their 20s, through funding from the City of Cape Town, he has run a workshop to upskill them on the art of teaching art.
“This is something I wanted to do a long time ago, but I just did not have the time, maybe it just wasn’t ever the right time,” he says.
The course ran for one month.
“We covered the basics, which include how to treat and work with children and do life skills with the children. We also looked at setting up the classroom for children because everything must be ready for them,” he says.
He adds that life skills include working on basic manners with children.
“It is small things that we can implement and make sure the children understand good manners. Things like when they go out and have a break and then when they come back, they should pray before they eat. It is small things that make a difference and mean a lot,” says Jeneker.
The initiative is funded by the City of Cape Town. This includes material.
The workshop was hosted at Portland Primary School, where Jeneker is the resident art teacher and the group is stationed as interns.
“Their contract comes to an end in September. I hope for more funding so that they can have more training and be sent to other schools to be the art facilitator there,” he says. “What I also have in mind is to send them on a course to become art therapists like me. They are trained to read children’s paintings and get their stories from their paintings.”
He hopes to have this group grow outside the school, where they can offer art classes and holiday programmes.
“I am not always going to be there and doing what I am. I don’t want it to stop with me. The day I pass on, they must be ready to take over,” he says.
He hopes to expand this training beyond this first group to reach even more youth.
“I cannot do this alone anymore and I am glad the City came on board to assist me fund this project. This must never die,” says Jeneker.
“Art is important to get kids into a safe environment. While they are safe, they also learn something. Art soothes their mindset. Art is not only about painting even an artist did my clothes so the whole world is about art.”
For Tazwin October, who matriculated in 2021, this project has opened his mindset around art.
“I like art because it is creative and attractive. I want to learn more about art because you can see what people are thinking and feeling, I just enjoy it,” he says. I also like the time I spend with Mr Jeneker because he teaches us a lot about art, and the more I learn, the more I can teach others.”
He would like to pass the knowledge on and work with children.
“Art is a way to get out of antisocial behaviours for the youth as well. This is a way for them to go even further. Art is more than just painting pictures, it’s sculpting and more. Art is a career choice for me as well. There is a misconception that art is just painting. It is more than just painting. I want to learn sculpting and working with clay,” says October.
This is exactly what Jeneker wants to have come from this project.
“Our youth need to continue this. I cannot leave this earth without showing someone my skills. I am so glad that they are interested in this and there is so many more youth who are interested,” says Jeneker.
“Art is really a necessity in schools because when children come to the class, they are amazing. When they are outside, they are different, when they come to my class they relax. This is what I love about art.”
Jeneker thanks the City and school principal Eleanor Braaf for always allowing him to work and do his projects at the school.
Follow Mark Jeneker Foundation on Facebook for more information on his projects.
