Biodegradable claim to fame for former Bathurst man
Designer hopes to unite people, change lifestyles
Former Bathurst resident Luvuyo Ndiki will launch his first biodegradable design patent cup made from sugarcane and corn starch in May, under the lifestyle brand Red Cup Village.
Ndiki founded Red Cup Village, which is based in Cape Town.
The company uses 3D printing technology to produce a unique drinking cup using a polylactide (PLA) filament, which is a biodegradable and bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources such as sugarcane and cornstarch.
Ndiki was born in Butterworth but grew up in Bathurst.
His Red Cup Village dream started while he was studying towards his 3D industrial technology/ product design course and communication degree at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2014.
“Red Cup Village was inspired by a story my grandmother told me about a woman, back in the 13th century.
“This African lady united two rival village-tribes by inviting them to a gathering where she made them drink from the same wooden cup,” Ndiki said.
“Without realising it, the two kings started sharing the same cup, which made them share their cultures, visions, beliefs and created unity in the village.”
Red Cup Village introduced its renowned red cups into the African market in 2014, when the company used to brand cups with stickers.
They then began looking towards creating sustainable products for the environment and helping stimulate green economic growth by producing products from recycled plastic pallets.
“Our brand story has always been about bringing people from different cultures together and creating social cohesion – it’s not just a cup, but a lifestyle,” Ndiki said.
“We are building a global lifestyle brand through innovative concepts and premium products.”
The company now has three registered design patents with pending international trademarks.
Ndiki said he had kept the company going since 2014.
“Red Cup Village wants to help change how our South African racial history has divided this beautiful country, and make it the hub of innovative people and diverse cultures.
“We want to make everyone drink from the same cup as one nation,” he said.
The Red Cup Village team comprises designers, content creators, event planners, photographers, videographers and web and social media specialists.