Greak Brak labyrinth opens officially
The official launch of the much talked about labyrinth in Great Brak River, was held on Tuesday, 1 November.
It was an extremely windy afternoon, but it didn't deter the message of hope, positivity and companionship symbolised by the labyrinth.
A labyrinth is described as a meditative walk or prayer in motion. Elsa Davids and Trudie Pretorius from Great Brak River created the stone labyrinth to bring communities together.
"We are too fragmented and we need to recognise our neighbours in different areas.
"The labyrinth is also to honour women, who for centuries had to live in the shadow of men."
Elsa explains that women across the world are often not seen and heard. She says a mother figure is probably the greatest gift in a family. "We need to validate women for that."
Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé, accompanied by his wife and his mother and ward councillors, Anton Dellemijn and Annatjie
Jansen van Rensburg, formed part of the special circle of people which was formed by holdings hands and praying at the labyrinth launch.
A special driftwood sculpture was created by local artists Lynda Murison, Maryna Human and Christine Jordaan. Lynda explains: "We came up with an idea of doing a sculpture using natural elements found in Great Brak. We involved the community and asked people on Facebook to collect driftwood and bring it to us."
Christine and her husband, Lodewyk Jordaan, built the armature and after that it took several weeks to create the driftwood sculpture. It was moved to the site where helpers dug a hole, mixed cement and concreted it into the hole.
Lynda adds: "Maryna wanted to do a figure and I suggested a female form which we could donate to the labyrinth initiative. We are pleased with how it worked out and that it is a symbol for women worldwide holding hands, standing together."
The labyrinth is next to OpiSpoor restaurant, close to the train station in Great Brak.