The Inkwenkwezi High School Environmental Youth Club - Turning Waste Into Art

A Movie by Theresa Ekpa And Jonas Krombach

The DESIGNER Glass Tiles Of The Incede Women's Group - Made In Mdantsane

We hope that you all had a great time over the Easter week-end. The Mdantsane Way team has taken a little time off during the holidays but now we back in full force. 

We have a long list of stories to write, so let's not waste any time. 

A promise we have made to the Incede Women's group in Mdantsane is, that we would present their entirely recycled handmade glass tiles to our readers. 

We have already written a story about this NGO, but the members have asked us specifically to write about their colorful glass tiles because they need help with the marketing process of this product.

Here we go. These tiles are not only stunning, beautiful, recycled, organic and sustainable but we think they are real designer tiles.

But how do we get them out of the township to prospective costumers?

Recycled Handmade glass tiles of the Incede Women's Group in Mdantsane

Glass is one of the most versatile materials we have on this earth. The women of this self help initiative have started a product line a while ago, that focuses on the production of recycled glass tiles, after they have received the equipment to melt and re-process old glass bottles and other glass products. They soon mastered the technique and the women are now producing these amazing glass tiles with an arty, bohemian touch. But costumers are scarce.

Designer glass tiles by handmade by the Incede Women's Group in Mdantsane

Glass is all the rage at the moment. Going to places like Plumblink, CTM, Tiles Africa etc, you can find mosaic glass tiles, Italian glass tiles and bathroom glass tiles at steep prices staring down at you from the shelves. One tile can range between 50 to 180 Rand. And they are not handmade like the Incede glass tiles.

Simple transparent and color glass bottles are used to make the very cool designer tiles of Incede 

You would be surprised how many recycling initiatives you can find in Mdantsane if you would take one day and visit the township. 

Most of them have been created through grants and donations issued to the NGO's or self help groups in form of financing or material by the different government departments. 

They start well, but they all lack the support of the public at a later stage. Funding and training are only two of the ingredients needed in the process of creating jobs and generating income. Once the beautiful products are available they have to be sold!

The difficult task of linking buyers with producers is often completely forgotten. To set up a supply chain for a product and to involve the right people who can deliver supply chain services is crucial but hardly ever happens.

A Sort Of Retro Feeling - But Help is needed with the marketing of the tiles

Having met so many initiatives and still not seeing an end to, it has brought us to the point, where we have been playing with the thought for quite a while now to set up a free site called "Made In Mdantsane". This site should have the sole purpose of displaying locally made products and linking them with buyers in and outside of Mdantsane. 

We bought the domain and we imagine this as a site, that is not run by us, but that will be just started by us and assisted for a while and then be taken over by you - interested local individuals of Mdantsane. 

Patience with a recycled "shooters or liquor glass"

The products shown in this article are only examples. The women are capable of doing costume designs for clients and all the products can be created without their label.

There are many ways of recycling and using glass in Mdantsane. Some are private and also useful, like the glass spiked wall of the Endaweni Lounge. 

The Glass Fence of the Endaweni Lounge in Mdantsane

Everybody understands this threat!

Security " Made In Mdantsane" at the Endaweni Lounge

From Plastic Waste to Bath Mats - A Mdantsane Recycling Initiative

We do not need to ask the question: Is there too much waste in Mdantsane? 

Everybody who has been to Mdantsane knows, that waste management and sanitation are the biggest challenges for the township. Two challenges, that have not even reached the stage of coming close to being mastered. 

Let us show you the good pictures first! There are initiatives in Mdantsane, that try to fight the problem. And they are doing it at grass root level.

Yellow and white striped bath mat made from plastic waste

The bath mats of the Sizamile Women's Group are entirely recycled and crocheted from stripes, that have been cut from discarded plastic shopping bags.

The project is still in its baby shoes and encounters the same problems like many other well meant initiatives in the township, starting with product development and design to make products desirable so that they are bought for their value and not out of charity ending with the lack of proper marketing, project management, public relations, accounting and branding skills and techniques.

Entirely recycled and made in Mdantsane - but still a long way to go.

The recycling project was started by the women alone and the idea is remarkable. But to turn it into an income generating "green project"  the women have a long way to go. 

Consumers all over the world are willing to support green businesses and projects, not only to do good but for their own sake as well. In the end the costumer is interested in eating better, healthier food and in being surrounded by cleaner less hazardous products, that have been produced by taking the environment and the beauty of our dear world into consideration. 

Beautiful and unusual - a green product, handmade and recycled

A well designed and developed proper waste management system is based on the willing participation of all stakeholders involved. 

The municipality can clean up only so much. The residents have to do their part.

Mdantsane and its waste management problem

But in a case like Mdantsane we have to consider several factors: the long history of neglect and discrimination, that the township has endured, the complete lack of environmental education in schools in Mdantsane, and last but not least the fact that poverty reduces drastically a person's capacity and energy to get involved in environmental projects because the fight for survival, for food and shelter is the main concern in that person's mind.

Let's rather say Mdantsane has a plastic problem............

We also have to ask the question: what is here defined as waste? In a location like Mdantsane the definition of waste differs most likely from suburban East London. People in well developed and groomed suburbs throw different things away, than people in squatter camps.

The beautiful old proverb says so wisely: what one man considers as junk or waste can well constitute another man's treasure.

Simply falling apart - but not waste

There are structures, where time has taken its toll and they are falling apart. But they can not necessarily be considered waste. Collecting scrap metal is a source of income for many. 

Wilsonia's scrap yards, an industrial area in East London are busiest on Monday mornings. Collectors are standing in long queues to deliver the metal they have collected over the week-end.  

Metal still has a use and monetary value. Collecting it is an income generating activity for many.

Mdantsane, like many other regions and countries suffers from a disease, that is slowly killing Africa's nature and environment - plastic waste. Africa's waste problem is predominantly a plastic waste problem.
Non degradable, wind torn plastic is found everywhere, in streets, in trees, on fences, in animals stomachs and in any other place you can imagine.

The Endaweni Lounge

Even a most successful and hip business like the Endaweni Lounge has waste problems displayed in front of the door of their music lounge. What can be done about it? The owners are aware of it and they are trying to sort out their waste problem by themselves. 

But it takes capital and investment as well, they say. How does one recycle and discard of thousands of glass bottles and cans, guests have been drinking in a couple of days, if only once a week trash is collected by the municipality?

 

Recycled plastic carpet in burnt orange made by the Sizamile Women's Group

One can argue, that recycling projects like the one of the Sizamile Women's group are only a drop on a hot stone but they are a conscious start to do something about it.

Back side of the recycled carpet

But we can also argue, that for us, who would like to see a change in the cleanliness of our environment this means, that we have to support grass roots recycling projects like Sizamile. Can we say it is our duty to make an effort and buy from them instead from Mr. Price in town. 

A cleaner environment for everyone.... poverty is a great obstacle

If self help initiatives and recycling projects like Sizamile are not supported they "fall into idle". 

Waste in Mdantsane

And once in idle it is difficult to get out again. Out of a sudden a costumer comes and want to order a product and the group or business can not produce it in the time required.

Waste turned into a consumer product

Why? There are numerous reasons. Life itself is one of them. The members of the group can not be found because nobody has given them an order for so long. So why come to the workshop if there are no costumers. It is discouraging! It would be for you too. So you go along with your life and look for other opportunities although you had a great business idea there! There are government grants to keep you alive.

Back side of  a hand crocheted bath mat made by the Sizamile Women's Group

Made from this.....

 

And frankly you have enough now of all that project and sustainability talk. You have set up an NGO, you have learned what a constitution is but really it did not give you food.

What have they told you: Consumers all over the world are willing to support green businesses and projects, not only to do good but for their own sake as well. In the end the costumer is interested in eating better, healthier food and in being surrounded by cleaner less hazardous products, that have been produced by taking the environment and the beauty of our dear world into consideration.  

How can you make them come to you? To Nu 5 in Mdantsane?

Something beautiful made from waste

And then there is this thing with the symmetry! Costumers like to buy handcrafted products, they love African crafters but it is good if a product has symmetry! Symmetry means the product has to have the same dimensions on each side.

That is another thing that does not come easy!

Waste or not?

 

Supporting Recycling initiatives is important

A Sizamile Product

Handmade Carpet in earthy colors - rather a piece of art for some

The Can't Get Car - Wire Art Made In Mdantsane

We came across a very interesting find - entirely made in Mdantsane some twenty years back.

The Can't Get Car - Wire Art Creation By Philipp Ntliziywana

The "Can't Get Car" - so called because one can't get it anywhere is a wire art creation, that was made by Philipp Ntliziywana, a resident of Mdantsane, when he was in his 20's.

Side View of The Can't Get Car

The car found its way into the King Williams town museum in 1989. It was purchased in June 1989 for a 100 Rand from its maker and is still exhibited there at what is called the Amathole Museum today.

A Scrap Metal Detail Of the Can't Get Car

"It is undoubtedly one of the most unusual and comtepmorary art pieces that found its way into the collection of the museum in recent years," so says the Amathole Museum.

Santa Claus as side decoration

Philipp, the talented artist has included in the construction of the "can't get car" all standard automobile details as well as many unconventional parts and ad-ons. The wheels are fitted with tyres and the windows with perspex windshields. There are front windscreens wipers as well.

Everything inclusive, engine, battery...... and a lot of extras

The car has front and tail lights, a battery, an engine and a radiator complete with the radiator cap.

Moreover the car is fitted with a fan, a telephone, a stove and a television set with a large T.V aerial mounted on the roof of the car.
Pimp my ride! Does that sound familiar? With his can't get car Philipp has probably realized more than one of his own dreams. 

The Can't Get Car In all Its Beauty

Like many more others and simpler wire motor cars, that can still be found in the rural parts of the Eastern Cape, the luxurious can't get car can be directed and manipulated through the help of a fitted steering wheel.

For A Quiet Ride.....

Where is talented Philipp Ntliziywana now? He was in his twenties, so the museum says, when he created this piece of art in Mdantsane. He must be in his late fifties now. Is he still making art, amazing wire creations? We would love to know but probably we will not. One thing is for sure, Philipp was far ahead in time with his creation. His can't get car is largely constructed and crafted from discarded metal and scrap metal pieces. Recycled Art and Design at its finest!

The Amathole Museum in King Williams Town

Where to see it? At the Amathole museum in King Williams Towns.

The maker of the can't get car, Philipp a Mdantsane resident!

The Amathole Museum in King Wiliiams Town in The Eastern Cape

The Drivers Cock pit of the Can't Get Car

The African Doll Maker

A Story of Entrepreneurial Spirit and Courage

Unemployment is the biggest problem in South Africa and the factor, that contributes the most to the high crime rate in this country and to many other social problems that come with it. All the townships in South Africa experience a great influx of people from the rural areas, who come to town to make money. Often without success

But there are also other stories - of the ones who go back to where they came from to be successful there.

Traditional Rag Dolls Sold At The Side Of A National Road In The Eastern Cape

I was in a rather dreamy mood, when I heard my brother shout "oh wow" look at these nice dolls.

The African Doll Maker And Her Beautiful Creations

We were driving down a National Road from Port Elizabeth on our way back to East London at 140 km per hour. Brakes, full U-turn and a couple of hundred meters back ! 

An Expression Of Strength And Kindness

And there, by the side of the road we meet an elderly woman, whom I call  "The African Doll Maker" and who has impressed me deeply.

Life In The Village Is Not too Bad, She Says

She speaks barely English. 

But I understood, she makes dolls from waste material and rags and tries to sell them to the people, who pass by to earn a living. 

Where she lives is where she sells.

 At the side of the National Road close to the village of Chalumna. 

And yes, she has been to Mdantsane but then she decided to go back to her own village.

Coming Back To The Village To Make A Living.....

Her dolls represent adult Xhosa Women in their traditional attire. They are true masterpieces of recycling and creativity. An empty two liter plastic Fanta or Coca Cola bottle filled with gravel stones or sand constitutes the body. The traditional Xhosa dress is sewn by hand from rags and fabric off-cuts.The head is stuffed and then painted on by hand.

The  Road Is A Good Place To Be

Her's is the true spirit of an entrepreneur, that can not be discouraged by the environment she lives in. A table at the side of the road covered by a clean table-cloth is all the shop equipment she has.
That day I learned again: disadvantages can be turned into advantages by approaching them differently.

" The road is a good place", she says with a smile on her face.

There she is and her dolls are doing her proud

Her Dolls Are Doing Her Proud And Express Her Xhosa Origin

The Spirit Of African Entrepreneurship - Never Give Up.... It might take a long time but never give up