Pietermaritzburg 185 elephants for
In commemoration of the city’s 185th anniversary, the Keep Pietermaritzburg Clean Association (KPCA) has commissioned 185 handcrafted elephants as part of its “It’s time for PMB - Celebrating the city’s 185th Anniversary” campaign.
The African elephant is not only the city’s symbol, but KPCA’S logo as well. Pietermaritzburg is known as umgungundlovu in isizulu, which means ‘the place of the elephant’.
These elephants have been hand crafted by a team led by Dr Liz Thomson.
Thomson, who is a ‘craftivist’, is thrilled by the response from the community, as elephants of all shapes, sizes, colours and materials are arriving ahead of the anniversary celebration.
“It was an absolute joy to receive a letter and donation of a very special herd of baby elephants from
Sika Shani Garden Service, who also love our beloved city. The gorgeous mini herd was made by employee Julie Ferreira, who made an elephant to represent each one of their staff,” said Thomson.
KPCA’S Rose Day has also made shweshwe and floral elephants with gorgeous heart shaped ears. Ferreira and Day represent just two of the craftivists sewing and knitting the city together with love.
“These past couple of months have been absolutely amazing, I have got such joy from being a part of the Ellies group that are making the elephants,” said Ferreira.
There were just a few Ellies short of the 185 target, so she just continued making more to reach 185.
“I have had such a fantastic response from friends and family that in between I have been making special personalised Ellies as gifts as well. My current batch of 20 should be ready for donation by Friday,” said Ferreira.
Chairperson of KPCA, Lara Edmonds said stunning elephants have arrived from Woodgrove and