By: Raymond Padya

The JournalismIziko crew graced the Ilanga High School with a Going Green Fashion Show event on Friday as part of their community outreach.

The fashion show, dubbed Going Green Fashion , aimed to engage all the high school learners from grade eight classes up to grade 11 in making garments made from recyclable material.

The modeling show had 20 contents that came from the different classes. Showcasing their special garments, the contestants paced through the runway in front of their cheering schoolmates. JournalismIziko Chief Editor and Journalism Programme Coordinator, Maud Blose, was mesmerized with the exhibition.

“The event was more than a success, I am overwhelmed by the learners creativeness and it was just out of this world,” exclaimed Blose, who was also the event organiser.

Truly, the designs were ‘out of this world’.  Contestants wore garments made of plastics and cardboards whilst simultaneously looking stylish and authentic. However, the judges had to narrow it down to three contestants.

The third prize went to Hlengiwe Ndlovu and as much as she was thrilled with a certificate bestowed upon her by JournalismIziko, she said that expected a better position.

“I was expecting to be the winner but not 3^rd… but I am happy everyone participated and we used our talents,” she said.

Coming off with the second prize was Sphesihle Gavhu, who was everyone’s favorite.  Gavhu even threw in a special dance for the judges as he strode through the runway and he instantly won everyone’s hearts.

“I am happy about winning the competition today as Mr Save The Environment because I beat all the guys I was competing with,” he commented.

The 1^st princess of the fashion show went to Nomfundo Dlodlo.  She humbled herself and thanked her classmates for making her such a great outfit.

JournalismIziko Chief Editor and Journalism Programme Coordinator, Maud Blose with Khwezi Nxumalo, the Arts and Culture teacher at iLanga High School.

“I was not expecting to be a winner today because I was scared of the many eyes of the learners…  I would like to say thanks to my mates and school learners… the certificate will help me when I want to compete with other people,” she said.

Behind all the special designs and the monitoring of students to come up with such marvelous outfit was Mrs Khwezi Nxumalo, the Arts and Culture teacher. Her bubbly character and energetic character was evident among her students.   Nxumalo was awestruck when Blose bestowed an award to her for all her contribution in ensuring that the students made the correct garments and on time. “We all worked very hard, we had fun most of the time and I am very happy to win this award,” said Nxumalo.

She wishes further association with the Durban University of Technology as iLanga High School was adopted by the DUT Faculty of Arts and Design.

Blose appraised the value of the community outreach and said that more institutions of higher learning should think of projects like this.

“When you talk of community outreach, you should give out something sustainable… so even after we have left the school, they will still have something to look at and be proud of,” she said.