Talented learners turn trash into outfits during the Trashion Show
Talented learners turned trash into treasure as they took a powerful step towards a greener and more sustainable future over the weekend.
Inventiveness and creativity was unleashed when Johannesburg South schools participated in a Trashion Show in celebration of Arbor Day, at the picturesque Klipriversberg Nature Reserve on September 2.
The well-attended fun-filled event offered a fashion show with a twist, where the learners had to design and create colourful outfits using nothing but trash and recycled materials.
And the rule was clear – no purchases were allowed. Instead, participants were urged to unleash their creativity and resourcefulness, utilising glue, staples, sewing materials, and any discarded items that would otherwise find their way to landfills.
The Arbor Day celebration was a huge collaboration between Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos (JCPZ) and Klipriversberg Nature Reserve Association (KNRA). Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Nature Conservation and the Adelaide School of Nursing also jumped on board.
Adding to the festivities, there were puppet shows, interpretive walks, and a variety of engaging activities to keep everyone enthralled. Food & Trees For Africa generously donated 100 trees. Six trees were planted at Klipriversberg Nature Reserve and the others will be distributed to the schools of the south.
Environmental consciousness
Winning primary schools were Winchester Ridge Primary School (first place), Waterstone College (second place), Meredale Primary School (third place) and Sekwati Primary School (fourth place).
Winning high schools were Sir John Adamson High School (first place), and Mondeor High School (second place), followed by individual prizes.
Organiser Dr Cheryl Ogilvie, who is also part of the KNRA, said the Trashion Show was aimed at inspiring young minds to think outside the box, raise awareness about pressing environmental issues, and to highlight the significance of recycling and waste reduction. She reiterated that judges had a difficult time choosing winning schools as they all showed great innovation.
Ogilvie thanked her entire team for going the extra mile in making the event a massive success.
“I’d like to extend appreciation to JCPZ, reserve manager Tumi Shoba, conservation manager Bishop Ngobeli, Sinah Magolo, Mosa Rametsa and Lebogang Mathole. Then the KNRA, Trevor Hulleman, Frank Diener, Christine Loukakis, Naquita Faria, Teresa Faria, Malcolm Duthie, Andy Hasenhopf, Geraldine Sekoba, Marietjie van Zyl, Bianca Coetzee and Louise Rowbotham,” she said.
She also thanked TUT’s Paballo Mohine, Daniel Joubert, Amogelang Moimamana, Blayne van der Spuy, Nonkululeko Makobong, Karabi Kgopa, Tarsia Mathebula and Asi Mafunfa. She also recognised Courage Makaringe, Musa Mkwanazi and TUT staff, Richard Sinden and Moshe Mogoboya.
“Other organisations involved were Leadership in Conservation for Africa, Welgevonden Environmental Awareness Programme (WEAP) from Limpopo under the management of Moji Kitsi and his amazing team. Also involved were friends of Kloofendal, Rand Water, WaterWise Team and their mascot, Awqaf SA, Junior Honorary Rangers from SANParks, Flourish, Kids Art, Raw Liquid, then our amazing puppet show lady Margaret Auerbach, and Joanne Minnaar,” Ogilvie said.
The presiding judges for the Trashion Show were Mandi Moller (artist), Marty Jasper (honorary ranger), Frank Diener (KNRA chairperson), Tumi Shoba (KNRA) and Moji Kitsi from WEAP.
