A non-profit environmental and tourism organisation, Small Five, held its second annual fashion show at Sarafina Hall in Ikageng on Saturday, 27 May 2023.
According to the chairperson, Otlotleng Sekhweta, all clothes in the show came from recyclable waste. “Our primary focus is to minimise waste in our community and the overall environment by cleaning and making people more aware of the environmental issues caused by waste materials,” he explained.
Sekhweta added that it was important to teach learners about waste management from an early age. “For this fashion show, we collaborated with learners from different schools throughout Ikageng and motivated them to create fashionable pieces only using waste materials,” he said.
Sekhweta added that learners had around two months to plan and execute their designs. “We were delighted to see how learners allowed their creative juices to flow,” he said.
He added that they look forward to hosting more events, where learners from other schools participate. “Our focus includes making the community aware of the principles of avoiding waste, which are: reduce, reuse and recycle,” Sekhweta said.
“We aim to minimise pollution around Potchefstroom, support community development in conservation, cleaning, and sharing environmental information.” The NPO especially thanked the J.B. Marks Municipality, the Department of Economic Development Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Petco, Ward 18 councillor and the Kagiso Lerefolo Foundation for making the event possible. Small Five Environmental and Tourism Organisation was established in 2017.
Sekhweta says the idea came after noticing the community needed environmental education. “Besides the fashion show, we conduct awareness campaigns, conserve, and travel,” he said. “We hope to bring changes and motivate people to have an environmental perspective. Our biggest goal is to reduce pollution and conserve nature,” he concluded.
