Do you know the story behind Nkomazi’s painted silo?
The painted silo on the edge of Kaapmuiden has welcomed visitors to Nkomazi for 14 years. Here's the story behind the iconic landmark.
KAAPMUIDEN – The painted silo that greets visitors at the Barberton turn-off on the N4 outside town, has become an iconic landmark since its unveiling in 2003. Although many tourist guides mention it as the busses pass by, new Onderbergers may not know the significance thereof.
The silo was originally used to store animal feed but is thought to have been abandoned when farmers switched to planting more sugar cane instead of raising livestock.
In 2003 as part of the efforts to promote tourism and to beautify the area, Johan Daffue with the assistance of Brendon Panas, decided to paint the silo in the form of a large welcome sign.
Daffue managed to track down the owners to get permission, and then devised what they would paint. Each component was chosen to reflect Nkomazi.
The giraffes on the silo represent the Kruger National Park, the grass symbolises sugar cane which is a big part of the local economy and the pots embody the Swazi culture of the locals.
Daffue said they drew templates of the giraffes on newspaper and sat on the lawn of his River House Lodge in Malalane to cut them out. They pasted them onto the silo and found that you could see them from about one kilometre away.
Standing 17,4 metres tall, the silo is 13 metres in diameter. The two men had to balance on high scaffolding to complete this amazing masterpiece.
Other artwork that Daffue has been involved with includes the painting of the train and landscapes at Pick n Pay in Malelane, as well as the first painting of the train bridge in Air Street.
The bridge’s concrete walls were painted by local schoolchildren as part of an art competition. Daffue said they approached Suikerland Primary, Riverview Prep and Laerskool Malelane.
The pupils gathered at River House for the contest, and each received hamburgers from Malelane SUPERSPAR as well as a certificate for their efforts. The bridge has since been repainted and the project has helped keep vulgar graffiti off.
Duffue also noted that in 2003 they made and sold postcards with Swazi dancers and the silo on a sunset background.
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