GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - On the eve of Heritage Day, SABC3 screened a video promoting the local Giant Flag project, featuring interviews with Trustee Hanna Makoba and Giant Flag staff.
This project attracted international interest at its launch in 2014, and was declared one of CNN's '10 ideas to change the world'.
After seven months of delays, the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (DBNLM) has finally signed a solar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable progress to continue on the project.
"The Giant Flag project kicked off with high hopes, aiming to provide 700 jobs to the community of Graaff-Reinet and surrounding areas," said trustee Jimmy Joubert. However, he admitted that these aspirations soon met with the reality of low economic growth, and very little uptake of the crowdfunding effort to support the R200m-project.
The project is to create a huge South African flag the size of 66 soccer fields on previously barren land, using colourful plants, white roads and black solar panels.
The Mother Flag is a one hectare pilot project adjoining the main site. This is open to the public, and is a very popular attraction with both local and overseas tourists.
"The only way the plants can bring colour to the flag is if they are the actual colour required - so the thorn or the leaf is blue, green, yellow or red," explained founder Guy Lieberman.
Spekboom is used for green, golden barrel for yellow, Mexican barrel for red, and agave for blue. Only the spekboom is indigenous, which caused some initial concern, but after much consultation, the red, yellow and blue plants will be augmented by indigenous flowering plants to create ground cover and spectacular spring seasons.
Groundsman Attie Hendriks tends a golden barrel. Photos: Sue Shaw
Joubert has been steering the process to secure the solar MoU. Investment in the solar project was subject to a partnership between PowerX (the only company that buys and sells green energy in SA) and the DBNLM.
"From an initial meeting in February, when it was confirmed that the MoU does not require financial commitment from the municipality, the next seven months turned out to be anything but smooth sailing," said Joubert. The municipality eventually signed the MoU at the end of last month after intervention by Mayor Deon de Vos.
Municipal spokesperson Wilca Smith commented that the municipality has a long-standing relationship with the Giant Flag project. It has been in the IDP of the municipality since the days of the previous Camdeboo municipality.
"The municipality supports the project by way of canvassing to other government departments, but no monetary support," said Smith. "It is the intention of the mayor to convene a meeting where progress on the project can be shared with Council."
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