How to make simple things extraordinary
THERE is lots to do and see at this year’s Sustainable Living Exhibition which opened at the Durban Exhibition Centre this weekend.
The seventh annual event is packed with creative inventions all in the name of sustainable living.
The MEC of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, opened the event yesterday.
The Innovative Waste Design displays items like purses, handbags, wallets and other fashionable accessories made from tyre tubes.
It also developed footwear made from tubes and other recyclable materials, and will be launched soon.
The owner, Colleen Deetlefs, said that the firm wanted to show young people that simple things could be made extraordinary with a little creativity.
“We are so glad the youth is making a concerted effort in sustainable living. Our aim is to showcase our work and get more people involved with our project,” she said.
The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation has an array of snakes on show – a black mamba, a brown house snake, a southern brown egg eater and a puff adder.
Pupils looked curious – and some a little nervous – as the reptiles slithered in their cages. One brave Tongaat boy, Lashen Naidoo, joined handler Nick Evans in petting a snake.
Also at the expo is the Ansari Sustainable Living SA stand with its barrel-aquaponic system that uses fish and water in vegetable and plant gardens.
“No soil is used when planting and all the growth is determined by the fish nutrients. One has to see it to believe it.
“Other attractions are an activity corner where children can design musical instruments from recyclables. And there are competitions,” said Ansari’s Thameez Bodhanya.
For fashion lovers, the Durban University of Technology stand has out of this world creative designs that would make your jaw drop.
There are suit jackets made of paper, formal trousers constructed from bin bags, and dresses made out of spoons.
The biggest and brightest exhibition is the Go Durban fuelling station.
Go!Durban ambassador Trustwell Ngcobo said the aim of the fuelling station, equipped with stationary bicycles and computer screens, was to promote non-motorised forms of transport such as bicycles and rollerblades.
“By engaging in nonmotorised transport we are allowing ourselves to lead healthier lifestyles as well as protect our environment,” he said.
The Indigenous Plant Fair promised to provide a double shot of greening and environmental awareness. Xolile Sibiya is assisted by Trustwell Ngcobo as she tests the Go! Durban bicycles at the Sustainable Living expo being held at the Exhibition Centre.