Watch: SA cake decorators craft dazzling map of Africa from sugar paste
The idea of the Map of Africa, a project made of icing sugar paste, was born after the SACDG could not showcase their work at the Royal Agriculture Society.
NOT being able to partake in the annual show at the Royal Agricultural Society in Pietermaritzburg didn’t take away the sugar rush for members of the South African Cake Decorators Guild (SACDG).
Instead of showcasing their work at the popular event, the SACDG Pinetown branch came up with a creative idea — to build a map of Africa using icing sugar paste.
The SACDG is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1976, with the mission of growing the cake decorating community in South Africa by hosting shows, demonstrations, and workshops across the country.
Vice-chairperson Rika Bosman said each year members looked forward to the competition hosted under the auspices of the Royal Agriculture Society.
@caxtonlocalmedia The SA Cake Decorators Guild (Pinetown) made a sugar-coated masterpiece! They created a map of Africa entirely from icing sugar paste – flowers, butterflies, and all. 🇿🇦🦋 A true labour of love (and sweetness) 💕 #CakeArt #SACDG #SweetCreativity #HighwayMail #MadeWithLove ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia
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“The venue has been sold and hence, there was no show available this year.”
According to Bosman, from the very beginning it was made clear that this initiative was not a competition, but rather a ‘gift from the heart and soul’ of each member.
“The members were divided into colour-coded areas,” Bosman explained.
Each group was given the task to create flowers, leaves, or butterflies using short wires or toothpicks as the base. They were each allocated an approximate space of 50 square centimetres, but enthusiasm ran high, and the members exceeded expectations, contributing enough decorations to cover the entire map, which measured 1.2m high and 1m at its widest point.
Bosman, a dedicated member of the guild for 43 years, said the atmosphere was filled with excitement and joy on the day they assembled the map.
“The members arrived armed with containers, wires, and cutters. No one knew what the final map would look like, it was a moment of shared surprise and celebration.”
The project also served as a membership drive, aimed at encouraging new decorators and enthusiasts to join the SACDG family.
For those interested in learning more or becoming a member of the South African Cake Decorators Guild, contact Rika Bosman on 072 327 1069.
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