Artist, teacher and lecturer Smart Gobani Gumede died on October 23 after a long illness during which he suffered a series of consecutive strokes.

Born on November 18, 1943, at Ndwedwe in KZN, Smart Gumede devoted his life to teaching. He taught at Ndwedwe schools, going on to iNdaleni Art School in 1977 to undergo an art teacher’s specialist course under the guidance of Lorna Peirson and completed a degree in fine art at the University of Fort Hare. He taught art at Ntuzuma and Mbumbulu Colleges of Education. He held his first solo exhibition of sculptures and paintings at the African Art Centre in December 1982 under the guidance of the late Jo Thorpe.

In December 1987, sales from his exhibition of sculpture and etchings at the African Art Centre enabled him to return to the University of Fort Hare to do an honours degree in sculpture, which he obtained with a distinction.

His etchings attracted much interest from around the country and six works were bought by the Tatham Art Gallery.