Several schools in and around Cape Town participated in a new waste-to-art challenge.
The Waste to Art Expo is an extension of the City of Cape Town’s ‘Let’s Act’ clean-up campaign, a reminder to citizens to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.
The aim is to showcase not only how one person’s waste is another’s treasure, but to highlight how things can be recycled or upcycled, along with some tips on how to minimise the waste generated over the upcoming festive season.
The expo formed part of the Festive lights Switch-On event on Sunday 27 November.
Four schools were selected by the City of Cape Town, to participate in the project which has produced imaginative and thought-provoking art pieces created by Grade 6 and 7 learners.
A total of 40 learners and four teachers from Dryden Primary School, Wesley Practicing Primary School and Cecil Road Primary School all based in Salt River and St Paul’s Primary School in the Bo-Kaap were all involved in the project.
The theme this year is Cape Town – City of Hope, which the learners have expressed in their colourful artworks.
The opening exhibition took place at the Civic Centre on Thursday 24 November, and it will be on display until Friday 13 January next year.
Ten Learners from Wesley Practicing were inspired by the ocean and created an aquarium using plastic bottles, bottle tops and plastic bags.
Grade 7 learner Maysha Alam says: “We wanted to show people how fish can live in harmony if people didn’t litter. It took us about three weeks to complete the project and our message to people is that they should keep the ocean clean.”
Saadiqah Mayman, a teacher at the school, says they are proud of the learners’ project. “We are honoured to be part of this project. The kids really worked hard and we are happy with the final product.”
Ruqayyah Adams and Haneyah Ebrahiem from Cecil Road created a mini replica of the City of Cape Town.
“We created Table Mountain out of cardboard, trees out of plastic, we used foam to shape it into houses as well as created the Waterfront with the big wheel. We used a foam cup to create Cape Town stadium.”
She says they aim to show Capetonians what they can do with the waste they see around them.
Ameer Stemmet and his classmates also from Cecil Road created a waste wagon. He explains that it is their idea of a remake of the VW minivan.
Stemmet says: “We combined the old with the new. You don’t see much of the VW minivan anymore, so we decided to reinvent it. We used knives, spoons, bottles and plastic bags. We want to tell people that they shouldn’t throw anything away. It took us about three weeks to create.”
Other items created by the learners from Cecil Road included a replica of the tree of life and flowers in a vase.
Emmanuel Selemani from Dryden Street says he and his classmates created a traditional hut, symbolising ubuntu and togetherness.
Stanton Smith, principal of Dryden Street, says the expo gives learners a chance to showcase their abilities.
“The art piece symbolises the use of all recycling products that can be utilised to build a house, to invest in the economy, invest in each other and different ways of how we can generate income for small families.”
Learners from St Paul’s created a piece called “Ibozza” which tackles topics like diversity and recycling.
Learner Asona Shweni says: “The piece was created for diversity in our world, the recycled community to spread a message that we should stop littering and start creating good things in our communities.”
Grant Twigg, the Mayco member for urban waste management, says: “I am so proud of our young people and the effort they have put in.
“They are our future leaders and ambassadors for a cleaner world. I thank everyone, including our hardworking teachers, for taking time out of their exam preparation schedules to participate in this project – it has been well worth it.”
Twigg says keeping the city clean is everyone’s responsibility.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said: “It’s wonderful to be at the opening of the Waste to Art exhibition where school kids have turned waste from the streets of Cape Town into these incredible works of art. In our #SpringCleanCT Campaign we are working to change behaviour around littering. Nothing should become litter, and waste can be turned into something special.”
