The Sustainable Living Exhibition hosted by the eThekwini Municipality ended on a high note this past Sunday, with thousands of people attending the green event. Approximately 10 000 people and 113 schools attended the exhibition to see what interventions are available to join the green revolution.
More than 200 exhibitors showcased everything from solar equipment and rain water harvesting tanks to indigenous plants, organic compost and creative recycling. The eco-friendly, zero emission car, Nissan Leaf, created a stir at the exhibition and wowed many motoring and green enthusiasts at the exhibition.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Nomvuzo Shabalala was impressed with the level of expertise and innovation at the exhibition. “It is heartening to see the efforts people are making to ensure the sustainability of our city and the planet. If every one of us made a contribution, whether it is saving energy and water, recycling, growing our own food gardens, we would be able to build a sustainable City. I am especially impressed to see schools doing so much. It puts me at ease knowing that the sustainability seed is planted in the minds of our youth and that our environment is safe in hands of our younger generation.”
Mr Bongumusa Zondo, Senior Manager of Long Term Planning in the Municipality said that the Sustainable Living Exhibition began as part of the Imagine Durban project to showcase various ways in which people can get involved in creating the city of their dreams. “It is imperative that we cut down our carbon footprint and reduce the use of our natural resources as much as possible. The country faces huge water and electricity shortages, and this exhibition challenges people to think differently and to live more sustainably.”
Schools and social justice organisations also had a platform at the exhibition with the Human Trafficking display winning overall first prize for their harrowing honesty of this scourge that affects so many young women. Major Moya Hay said, “the exhibit aimed to shock people into the reality of human trafficking and show how women are abused and transported into unknown countries where they have nowhere to turn. It aimed to raise awareness and cut down the incidence of trafficking in our communities.”
Mr Deo Jeebodh of Pietermaritzburg found the exhibition inspiring. “The exhibition provided a platform for all to see just how easy it is to make a difference in our communities and to the environment. It calls on everyone to be more responsible and to think carefully about recycling, and conservation.
Exhibitor, Rosa Vosloo of Home Organics, said she will definitely be back next year. “The exhibition provided a great platform to market my business, and network with others. We were pleasantly surprised with the interest created by the exhibition.”
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