We recently connected with Zico Mthethwa and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zico, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

So, I grew up with just my mom, a teacher wrangling two kids on a teacher’s salary. We had everything we needed, but let’s just say the coolest book covers weren’t exactly in the budget.

My mom’s pretty strict, so complaining wasn’t an option. Instead, I saw my classmates’ awesome anime covers and decided to, well, make my own! I started drawing my own designs and sticking them on my textbooks. That’s kind of how my whole “creativity-solves-problems” thing got started. Art became my way of making the best of things.

My mom, bless her heart, always wants the best for me. Even though she wasn’t sure about the whole “art career” thing, she totally respected my choice. In fact, she even let me major in art in college! It was the first time I ever got to really learn art properly, and let me tell you, it felt like I finally found my place.

Third year of college, I put together this art-and-film mashup exhibit. My mom, busy as ever, still showed up to see it all. That’s when it hit me – even if she didn’t quite get the whole art scene, she’d always be there for me, you know? Huge deal, especially since some of my friends had parents who wouldn’t even let them dream about art school.

Because of her support, I wasn’t stuck becoming a civil engineer who hates his job (phew!). In my last year, I even won a contest designing a poster for a film festival, and guess what? It came with some sweet prize money! That was the moment I knew for sure you really could make a living doing art.

My mom basically let me forge my own path, and I’m so grateful for that. Who knows, I might be a grumpy civil engineer today if she hadn’t been so awesome!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a 3D artist with a deep passion for creating visually compelling experiences. While I continue to pursue my artistic endeavors as a painter, I currently co-own and operate Ndalo Design, a 3D design studio specializing in affordable, high-quality solutions.

At Ndalo Design, we understand the power of 3D design and its ability to elevate projects across various mediums. We offer a comprehensive range of services, including 3D modeling, animation, and cutting-edge AR effects – all delivered with a focus on exceeding client expectations and remaining budget-conscious.

My entrepreneurial journey began alongside my business partner after we gained invaluable experience working in the 3D pipeline at an animation studio. Through this internship, we honed our skills in 3D modeling, rigging, texturing, and more. Witnessing the growing demand for accessible 3D solutions, we decided to leverage our expertise and established Ndalo Design.

Despite being a relatively new studio, Ndalo Design has already garnered recognition. One of our AR filters achieved significant traction, reaching over 300,000 impressions – a testament to our creative approach and technical proficiency. We are constantly striving to push boundaries and expand our client base.

We differentiate ourselves by fostering a collaborative environment with our clients. We prioritize understanding your vision and translating it into exceptional 3D deliverables, all while keeping budgetary constraints in mind.

While my long-term goal involves dedicating myself fully to artistic expression, I currently find immense satisfaction in utilizing my technical skills within the collaborative environment at Ndalo Design. If you seek a passionate and experienced 3D design partner who delivers exceptional work at competitive rates, look no further than Ndalo Design. We’re excited to collaborate and bring your vision to life!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In my first year of Varsity, I didn’t manage to get funding for my studies and my mum couldn’t afford it. I remember having to walk close to 10 km from where our home was to the varsity. I was assisted by friends with lodging on certain days but all in all, I had to walk most of that year. I recall one Friday when I usually had only one subject to attend, I was so tired that week from walking and wanted to just miss that subject but a voice within me said if missed this one day the next thing it would be a whole week. I can’t give up yet on my dream. I managed to get funding the following year and student accommodation and whenever I feel like giving up I’m reminded of how I never gave up even in that moment of uncertainty.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

There are quite a few but if I had to choose one that keeps pushing me forward and gives me fuel I would have to say it is Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike. The struggle he went through to pioneer such a recognized brand is nothing but amazing. The part I remember the most was how Nike had been running for 10 years and was well known but it had yet to make a single profit technically as it needed to keep growing. It showed me that a real business is not about turning a short profit. it about long game, creating somthing that grows beyound just a pair of runner shoes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zicomthethwa.co.za/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zico_mthethwa?igsh=a3pndXEwdnY0aTFy&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zico-mthethwa-0a86b712a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16NUN9A9pY1h525Eh6_xEjRyT5vnPP7mthzQ0YLeXyBg/edit?usp=sharing

Image Credits
non-applicable