Young Selalome's impressive sculptures

Sickness had forced him out of school and the 'piece jobs' that he did to eke out a living did not bring much money home. Despite the major setbacks, his parents, who are farmers were pinning their hopes on him to improve their livelihood. Asked why he did not go back to school to join his peers after his health improved, Selalome responds: "Nobody advised me to do so and I was lured away from school by the money that I earned as a labourer."

As a breadwinner in the family, the sculptor had to find means to complement his meagre earnings.