The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town has reimagined the festive season into a celebration of local talent and environmental sustainability by partnering with resident artisans to create recycled festive decorations.
Themed, ‘Joy from Africa to the World’, the decorations hope to tell an African story that’s joyful, inspiring and shows what an ‘African festive season’ is all about.
Tinyiko Mageza, Executive Manager of Marketing at the Waterfront, in 2017 announced the commitment to eliminate single-use plastics by 40% by 2020. “This ambitious goal is carried into our festive plans for this year. We decided to lead with purpose and prioritise the things that matter most to us. That meant repurposing past décor, using wastepaper we collect in our waste recovery recycling centre, and choosing sustainable, recycled materials.”
Local businesses and entrepreneurs took part in creating works of art and decorations, as well as artists and weavers from all over Africa.
Visitors to the V&A Waterfront can expect crafts, such as golden swallows made from recycled metal, a giant, recycled suspended Earth; a Summer Palace decorated with 59 beaded creatures; woven baskets; a beaded reindeer alongside repurposed Christmas trees covered with papier-mâché and felt; and shining big baubles.
