Glo/CNN African Voices profiles goldsmith Labi Kapo

The Globacom-sponsored CNN African Voices over the weekend brought to viewers South African  goldsmith, Thomas Labi Kapo, who was special guest on the programme.

 Born in May 1958, Kapo, SHOWBIZPLUSng learnt is a gifted and artistic jeweler who has worked with renowned jewelers such as Andrew Grima (Queens Court Jewelers), Universal Gem Trade and Alexis Jewelry Limited.

 From some of the finest jewelry shops in London to the mine fields deep in Ghana, the renowned

goldsmith has been all over the world gaining the experience that has made him the master craftsman

he is today.

 Now, he is sharing his knowledge with Africa’s next generation and allowing others to

benefit from their country's valuable resources.     

In 2002, he relocated from London to his native South Africa with his wife, Wumba, to pursue a common dream to create a business that could train talented youngsters from Africa to become goldsmiths as good as the best London could offer. Kapo is a member of the London Assay Office, the body charged with testing and hallmarking precious metals in the United Kingdom, and he is also involved with the University of Johannesburg where he is a lecturer in its Jewellery faculty. He played a prominent role when Staff and students from the University’s Jewellery Design Department helped raise R230 000 for the Nelson Mandela Foundation in July 2010 through an Anglo Platinum initiative. Kapo’s broach, which auctioned for R100 000, expressed freedom and was entitled Ibhabhathane (butterfly). The project was aimed at raising funds and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the foundation  as well as an opportunity to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

In last weekend’s edition of African Voices, the master goldsmith shared with viewers how his dream

became a reality with the formation of Akapo Jewels in Johannesburg and how it has offered him the

opportunity to produce jewelry for top-end clients and also allowed him the space to train people

from the continent to become top manufacturers.

The 30-minute magazine programme airs at 3.30 p.m. on Saturday, 3.30 a.m., 9:00 a.m and

6:30 p.m. on Sunday. There will be further repeat broadcasts on Monday at 10:30a.m. and  3.30 p.m., and 

on Tuesday at 5:30a.m.