Update: The massive Christmas tree is up
The tree will be used as the venue for a carolling event on Friday December 8. The entry fee is a toy, which will be donated to one of a number of local charities.
The 13 metre tall, 7 metre wide tree has been put together and will be lighting up the City’s skyline from Friday.
According to Terence de Klerk, construction manager at CL Projects and Scaffolding who was responsible for erecting the platform on which the tree now stands, it took no ordinary scaffolding rig to make sure the tree stands firm.
RMD Kwikform designed and provided the platform on which the tree now stands.
According to Julie Short from RMD Kwikform, the company that designed and provided the materials used to build the secure platform on which the tree was erected, “RMD Kwikform, a global formwork and scaffolding solutions provider was only too happy to be part of the festive cheer in our local community of Mbombela.”
“It took five men, about four hours to erect the scaffolds which were designed on the same principle as those used to support a concrete slab,” said De Klerk.
Lowvelders can look forward to a carolling event on December 8, at which local artists Gibraltar and the Casterbridge music development agency will perform.
WATCH: Massive Christmas tree being constructed at The Grove shopping centre, November 28
MBOMBELA – An enormous 13-metre high, seven-metre wide, custom-made Christmas tree will light up Mbombela’s skyline this festive season.
This home-grown initiative, designed in South Africa and assembled by a team from Durban, makes use of locally produced components and lights and will be on display at The Grove shopping centre from December 1.
Installation of the structure is due to start today and the lights will be switched on from Friday.
Also read: Top 10 ways to get your children in the Christmas spirit
According to Nevon Singh from Magic Lighting, the company which designed and will be assembling the tree, approximately 74 000 LED bulbs and 2 000 metres of cabling went into the tree. A team of 15 spent approximately 4 158 labour hours fabricating the custom-made structure and components.
“We really want to give people a reason to unite and share the Christmas cheer in the city by bringing the tree to Mbombela,” said Roland Hill from SPAR.
Also read: If your holiday decor is not yet up, here are some ideas
According to Hill, members of the public are encouraged to bring along a picnic basket, chairs or a blanket as Mbombela welcomes the festive season to the sounds of Gibraltar and the Casterbridge Music Development Academy.
“To us at SPAR it’s really about creating an event where anyone and everyone can come and enjoy by donating a toy and sharing in the nostalgia and excitement of Christmas,” said Hill.
According to Mike Prentice, SPAR Group marketing director, “We wanted the tree to be 100 per cent 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.”
Also read: Christmas carols at Penryn chapel gets public into the spirit of Christmas
