Making a difference in style!

Published: 19 November 2015

With The Cape Leopard Trust being an Associate Charity of the ABSA Cape Epic, our CEO Helen Turnbull, thought it appropriate to pay it forward and sponsor a presentation and day-outing for a local Elgin school during the time that the Cape Epic was based in the area earlier this year. And so our relationship with Applewood Preparatory School started.

After an inspirational day in the Hottentots-Holland Mountains, teacher Jane Moodie, booked a school camp in the Cederberg and suggested that the school raise funds towards the sponsorship of a camera trap for the area close to the school. The school is situated in prime leopard territory and after seeing evidence of leopard scat and spoor on our first outing together the teachers’ excitement could not be contained.

Meanwhile teacher, Tina Beaumont, came up with a unique and fun fundraising idea. As part of the schools’ annual Cultural Evening, she arranged that her art students design clothing items from recycled materials – the outfits to be showcased as part of a Steam-Punk Fashion Show on the night. Tina and her team tirelessly worked behind the scenes to secure sponsorships and donations for cheese and wine, event logistics and entertainment.

Grade six and seven pupils were given a formal brief, to create a fashion design made from recycled materials. They sketched their outfits based on the theme of “steam-punk”- a genre of combining turn of the century fashion, with futuristic science fiction ideas. This theme lends itself to the use of old tins, cardboard, newspaper plastic bags, and recovered items such as old keys, scrap fabrics, etc. Students also had to combine “African elements” such as animal prints, beadwork etc. to create a look to enhance our goal of raising money for the leopards in our Fynbos. Sketches were created with mixed media, like pencil, watercolour and fine liner.

On the night of the event, November 4th, Hadley Lyners, introduced The CLT and spoke briefly, about the work being done to parents and other guests present. Master of Ceremony, Principal Brendan Brady, led guests through the evening by introducing many of the pupils who presented musical items featuring guitar, violin, piano, recorders, the marimba drums and the kick drum! It was encouraging to see that the youngsters are so enthusiastic and willing to learn how to make music.

After the interval the grade sixes and sevens came out on stage with a bang. They themselves had selected the music and choreographed the fashion show. What followed was an amazing assault on the senses as great lighting, smoke machines and funkily dressed youngsters in their creative, recycled outfits got the crowd whistling and clapping and exclaiming ‘oohs and ahs’. Hadley enjoyed it tremendously and could not help to tap his toes and move his hips in his seat.

The delivery of the show was outstanding and Hadley says that he was totally inspired by what he saw. Through our CLT outings and programmes we promote recycling and show participants how to separate waste, etc., but this show took it to the next level when it comes to how waste can be re-used to create something wonderful.

A few days after the event, environmental educator Catherine Kühn visited the school on another errand. On her arrival she was surprised with a mini fashion show and the presentation of a donation certificate with the value of the funds raised toward our cause - R7598.00

The Cape Leopard Trust wants to thank all the teachers and staff who were involved behind the scenes, and in particular the learners of Applewood Preparatory for putting an amazing fashion show together. They have helped us to raise awareness about the plight of leopards in the Fynbos area. We want to thank all the sponsors (see list below) for their support and also all the parents and guests for attending and supporting behind the scenes too. The financial contribution is enough to contribute towards the acquisition of a new camera trap, much need in order to continue with vital research. This in turn translates to education for all about these enigmatic and very elusive felines.

Enjoy the attached photographs and we hope that it inspires others to think of other creative ways of contributing towards the conservation of our national heritage.

Watch this space for updates on what the Applewood sponsored camera records!

Article by CLT Environmental Educator: Hadley Lyners

A word of thanks to the event sponsors:
Beverages - Wildekrans Wine Estate, Paul Cluver Wines, Waterkloof Estate, Beaumont Wine, Corder wine, Elgin Vintners, Oak valley, Wintersdrift, Eversons Cider
Food - Peregrine Farm Stall, Grabouw Spar, Woolworths
Logistics and infrastructure - Four Every Event, B.P. Grabouw (Ronel Venter), JKM Sound

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