Petal power

WORDS Debbie Loots PHOTOS Mike MacFayden

It’s official! Spring is here and to get us into the mood are Umcebo Design’s pretty weatherproof flower chandeliers made of recycled ice cream containers and cable ties for the Diakonia Centre in Durban. 

Inspired by Umcebo Design’s recycled chandeliers, shortlisted for the World Design Capital 2014, the Diakonia Centre collaborated with Umcebo to come up with their own delightful beauties. Studded with solar-powered fairy lights, they are brightening up the Diakonia Centre’s courtyard and neighbouring streets as we speak.

Forming part of the Diakonia Centre’s Vines of Hope drive, the gorgeous clumps of powered-up plastic petals are shining their way from the Centre, all along the trees, to the Durban Music School and Old House Museum in an effort to raise awareness for the often complex issues surrounding social justice.

Robin Opperman, director of Umcebo Designs, hopes that these lights will also spark excitement in the community to start seeing recycling as a part of everyday life. The Diakonia Centre’s Vines of Hope project will culminate in a programme of special events on 19 October.

See Umcebo’s Facebook page for ongoing updates about this and other fabulous projects they are working on. Website: www.umcebodesign.co.za