Durban’s tallest Christmas tree shines bright
Gather outside uShaka and marvel at the largest Christmas tree in Durban.
A CUSTOM-MADE Christmas tree that is larger than life will be displayed at uShaka for the public to enjoy until Christmas. The 12.5m tall tree, initiated by The SPAR Group, was designed, manufactured and assembled in Durban. The project manager Karen Haynes, on behalf of SPAR, roped in the city’s best to assist.
The metal-based tree has been designed and assembled by Nevon Singh and his team from Magic Lighting in Montclair, south of Durban, using locally made components and lights. More than 74 000 LED bulbs and nearly 2 000m of cabling went into the tree and 15 staff spent approximately 4 158 labour hours to make the structure and its components.
“Our idea was to custom-make the largest Christmas tree Durban has ever seen,” said Mike Prentice, the SPAR group marketing director.
“We wanted the tree to be entirely made in South Africa and lit by a multitude of LED lights – all locally designed and manufactured. We want to revisit the nostalgia of Christmas and create a beautiful and iconic statement in a public place which can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors,” he added.
The idea was inspired by the vast Christmas decorations in Rockefeller Centre in New York, the gigantic fibre optic tree in Sydney, whimsical decorations in Vienna and old-style department store windows. It is said to look as if it was taken straight from the pages of a children’s story book.
Displayed alongside the tree will be an array of fantasy sea creatures made by Robin Opperman, Ujala Sewpersad and their team from Umcebo Design. They will make 14 gigantic mixed media fish, two enormous jelly-fish and five starfish using plastic bottles, Bonnox mesh and bottle tops.
“We are playing to the paradox that the tree will be decorated by fish made completely from recycled and found materials – using the very objects which play a role in destroying our marine biodiversity, to send out a message of the importance of recycling and reusing,” said Robin Opperman from Umcebo.
The lights were formally turned on, and the sea creatures unveiled at a special ceremony on Thursday and can be enjoyed by the public during the festive season.
