State Magazine May 2013 : Page 19
Clockwise from above: A close-up of the sculpture shows its detailed craftsmanship. Photo by Consulate General Durban; From left, ECF Director Kathryn Kure; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Reuben Brigety; Lauren Laing, brand and communications manager, Wildlands Conservation Trust; Taylor Ruggles, consul general, U.S. Consulate General in Durban; and Dr. Andrew Venter, CEO of the Wildlands Conservation Trust, gather at the rhino sculpture; Consul General in Durban Taylor Ruggles addresses guests at the launch of the Nkanyezi sculpture. Photos by Val Adamson the U.S. and South African commitment to save this natural resource. Nkanyezi was seen in Durban by delegates attending the March summit of the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. “The fact that the consulate participated enthusiastically alongside the community in giving breath to this project is no small deal,” said Robin Opperman, design director at Umecbo, one of the NGO participants. “U.S. support for initiatives to save our rhinos is critical to future success. We cannot do it alone.” Nkanyezi’s creation was a collaboration among artists from divergent backgrounds. The local partners involved in it wanted it to be beautiful and reflect the cultural and artistic backgrounds of the racial groups, genders, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds in KZN, the homeland of the Zulu nation. These local craft groups developed creative motifs, and their work showed their enthusiasm for wildlife conservation and made clear the links between conservation and their livelihoods. Many of those involved in making the sculpture depend on revenue from South African tourism, and can thus see preserving the rhino and the wildlife ecosystem as good business practice. Pieces of the sculpture bring to mind Bollywood, and this reference to the Indian film industry makes sense since KZN’s ethnic Indian population is the largest population of those of Indian heritage in any nation other than India. Other parts of the sculpture feature intricate Zulu beadwork, wherein every color has a meaning. Yet other aspects draw on pop culture and Americana, such as its use of Coca-Cola bottle caps as tile. The sculpture’s design is based on that of the USA/South Africa friendship pin, and the craft groups involved in the sculpture reinterpreted the two flags on the pin using their preferred media, such as crocheted recycled plastic and glittering ceramics. One side of Nkanyezi evokes the colors of the U.S. flag and the other, colors of the South African flag. That reference is a “testament to the partnership between nations,” said eCF Director Kathryn Kure. “The rhino belongs to all of us,” she said, adding that she hoped the nation’s people could unite to save “these magnificent, amazing creatures, and remember anew our duty of care to protect and cherish all the thing of this earth.” Nkanyezi has been featured in local newspapers and catches the eye of those rushing to catch flights or pick up loved ones; they all slow down to delight in its eclectic assortment of craft traditions. The next steps on Nkanyezi’s journey are still to be decided. She’s now a coveted guest at regional forums, and the post hopes she will continue to spread her message of U.S.-South African partnership on wildlife conservation around South Africa or the world. More information is on the embassy website at southafrica.usembassy.gov. STATE.GOV/STATEMAG // STATE MAGAZINE 19
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