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S. Africa to redesign pavilion at DSF

Based on an area of 1,000-sq metres, the South African Pavilion will be designed and painted in colour depicting the South African culture and the provinces.

“The central area is reserved for arts and crafts including ethnic items. The area will also showcase a traditional game lodge with a South African garden with trees and rock art,” said the organisers, Dawn 2000 Exhibitions.

Giving details about the structure, the organisers said that the whole constructed area was based on the Cape Dutch style of construction. “The structure is based on Swellendam city which is the third oldest city in the country,” explained the organisers.

The South African provinces are: Gauteng, Northern Province, Eastern Transvaal, Kwazulu/Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Freestate and Mpumalanga.

Explaining the concept of rock art, the organisers said that all the walls of the pavilion would be painted in colourful depicting African colours. For the entertainment of the visitors to the pavilion, African piped music will be played and traditional dances will also be held in the centre court.

The centre structure has been constructed using steel, gypsum and plywood while dried grass has been used to give a real look to the thatched roof. A real clock will adorn the clock tower in the main building structure, while proceedings from a wishing well will be used for orphan children. Other attractions at the pavilion include a scratch patch with 10 tonnes of semi-precious stones will also be an eye-catcher.

Ali Osman, the designer of the main building said that chandel wood would be used to outline the exterior wall which is 3 metres in height. “This year, because the time for the Global Village is extended, therefore the material used for construction has to be durable,” said Osman.

“The shops will have traditional merchandise, including Zulu baskets, Zulu clothes, ostrich eggs, leather products as well as arts and crafts. Next year, the pavilion is planned to take the shape of Cape Town,” said the organisers.

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