Taking selfies: a popular pastime among anyone with a cellphone. It’s become synonymous with futility and vanity – until now. When most of the world became homebound to stop the spread of COVID-19, boredom kicked in and many turned to their screens for an escape. With bathroom, bedroom, and grocery store selfies flooding the internet, illustrator Koos Groenewald devised a way to give the images a charitable purpose.
As South Africa went into lockdown, businesses were hit hard by the sudden closure of the economy. More than seven million people lost their jobs, and vulnerable households were plunged further into poverty. While staying at home, Groenewald decided to harness his artistic skills and raise funds for those most affected by the outbreak. “It’s important to find ways that you can help,” he says. Launching #coronacommissions on his Instagram profile, Groenewald began sketching people’s selfies in exchange for donations to vital causes.
Since his venture took off, Groenewald has raised over R500 000 for initiatives in aid of COVID-19, as well as Black Lives Matter and gender-based violence prevention groups. What started as a one-man mission has now grown into a community of artists and do-gooders alike, all volunteering their talents to improve the livelihoods of others. “This has renewed my spirit for drawing and given me purpose,” Groenewald says. “Drawing a picture can change lives.” As requests for his quirky portraits continue to stream in, it's clear we all have the power to help one another – even with a selfie.
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