The life of a living mall ‘statue’
The 33-year-old from Sebokeng township in Vereeniging, south of Johannesburg, told Northsider that his art looks pretty but comes with a lot of challenges putting it together.
The weekend shopping experience at Clearwater Mall leaves many patrons not only satisfied with their money’s worth but also stunned and fascinated by the living ‘statue’ that entertains everyone with his unbelievable stances.
Pule Mokati, a human statue artist, has arguably become one of the reasons patrons enjoy weekend shopping as he pulls some poses and tricks in his silver spray-painted costume which draws all eyes to him in the centre court of the mall.
The 33-year-old from Sebokeng township in Vereeniging, south of Johannesburg, told Northsider that his art looks pretty but comes with a lot of challenges putting it together.
Pule, who’s been performing at the mall for about a year, shared some of his experiences as an artist and what keeps him going back to the mall every weekend. “I am from Sebokeng in the Vaal and it takes me about two-and-a-half hours’ drive to get to the mall and at least 20 minutes to be presentable in my costume. I keep coming back not only because this my only source of income to feed my son and his mother but also because I’m doing it for the love of entertaining people, many of whom are left awestruck,” he explained.
One of Pule’s famous stunts is an air chair. He does this move by sitting in the air and leans back and forth without any support structure behind him, which always leaves people astonished.
When asked how the move is done, he laughingly said, “I can’t share my secret”. However, after a day’s work at the mall, Pule said his muscles become tired but he helps them by exercising.
His muscle pain is rewarded at the end of the day by patrons who throw loose change into his bucket hat to support what he does.
Pule added that he is always grateful for whatever money he makes and to the mall for giving him an opportunity to showcase his talent and at the same time provide financial support.
Find Pule at Clearwater Mall every Friday to Sunday during the day.
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