July fever gripped Dargle last weekend. Eager boys lined up their wire cars for the inaugural running of the Dargle Drag Race, while local lovelies showed off their individually designed creations.

Members of the Nxamalala Enviro Club, facilitated by Gugu Zuma and supported by Dargle Conservancy have been finding new, creative ways to use waste. Crisp packets litter the landscape of many Midlands villages, tetrapak is often burnt and plastic bottles bob in wetlands.

With no municipal collection out this way, the youngsters who are passionate about protecting their environment, came up with fun ways of using the resources that others throw away. Nhlanhla Zulu arrived early, his colourful car freshly polished.

Wandiswa Ndlela of Corrie Lynn School posed in the Autumn light for the paparazzi before the crowds descended. Percy Duma from Dargle School tested out the suspension on his shiny gold car along the Petrusstroom road. Later in the day, he won the prize for Best Car.

Luyanda Madlala’s truck featured two trailers – ideal for carting horses to the races! Sphumelele Mpungase stole the show with her cool catwalk manner and bright blue wig. The details on Brandon Shateke’s outfit were gorgeous – sweet wrappers rolled into stars and spotted coffee cups as coat tails.

Brandon said”I feel really motivated by this event. The concepts of reduce, reuse, recycle make more sense now.
It is our responsibility, not someone else’s to clean up the planet.” Lindokhuhle Skosana’s stunning outfit was created from feed bags, plastic waste and bottle tops.

Lindokuhle was part of a creative team of eight from Shea O’Connor School in Nottingham Road who have been working late nights and over weekends to complete the outfits. Designer, Kwasondokuhle Ndlovu, was excited to showcase his creations. “Sometimes, I can’t sleep – my head is so full of ideas.

My mom is so pleased to see that the effort I have put in is being appreciated and has earned me the Best Designer Award today.”Antonia Mkhabela, teacher at Shea O’Connor School was full of praise for their efforts.

“I am so pleased to see them using their science and technology knowledge effectively and critically, also showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others.”

Gorgeous Wandisa Ndlela from Nxamalala was the overall winner in the Best Outfit category. Her Grandmother, Deli Zuma, who had helped her stitch the costume made from Omo packaging, was thrilled.

The day ended with the Drag Race, won by Nqobani Mpangase with his bright blue car made from an Amasi container. Principal of Corrie Lynn School, Thenjiwe Ngcobo, where the Trashion show was staged, promised “Next year it will be even more interesting” .

Plans are for a gala event to coincide with the Dargle Local Market on July 2, 2016.
See all the pictures at: https://darglelocalliving.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/dargle-trashion-show/