When last did you hear of a project so huge, amazing and mind blowing that you need to sit for a while and think “how is that possible”
Guy Lieberman
Let me introduce The Giant Flag.
During the 2010 FIFA soccer world cup, the people at FCB South Africa were inspired by the way in which South Africans rose up to play host to the world, united by the flag, blowing from buildings, car windows and just about anyplace people could hang the flag. With a memorable Fan Walk in Green Point, the flag being displayed from every corner.
FCB sought a way in which the spirit of that unity could live on and to do good in our country. Guy Lieberman was the man that came up with this brilliant R180 million concept.
The Giant Flag is going to be a 66 hectare (66 soccer fields) South African flag, made up of 2.5 million coloured desert plants and will be established in the Camdeboo Municipality. This area includes the towns of Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda.
After numerous environmental studies it was decided that the Golden Barrel, Blue Dan and the Fire Barrel will make up the
- Fire Barrel
Yellow, Blue and the Red of the flag. Although some of these are not indigenous they are not invasive to the area. These cactus are very resilient and drought resistance and no watering is required, making it perfect for this harsh environment.
A gravel road will represent the white in the flag. Here one will be able to view the flag up close. A tourism and conference center, Boutique Lodge and rental space for micro organisations will be the Black and the “heart” of the flag . Together with this center there will be a 6.6 hectare solar field producing 4 megawatt off electricity to the people of Cambedoo.
Golden Barrel
The Spekboom will be used for the green of the flag. A recent study in the Eastern Cape has highlighted the fact that this humble succulent has an amazing ability to soak up CO2, equivalent to that of sub-tropical forest.
Blue Dan.
Growing the cacti and succulent will be a momentous task needing the softest of hands, this the reason why a large percentage of people employed will be women.
Spekboom
The team will start to germinate the seeds and in about 18 months when the plants are about the size of a tennis ball they will be planted in their permanent spot. As the plants grow they will become more rich in colour leaving us with a vibrant flag.
The possibilities with this project is endless and again, bringing a community together under one flag, it can be done. The world cup showed us that. The Giant Flag has massive support behind them. Some companies including Google, Toyato Sa, Development bank of South Africa, SABC Foundation to name just a few.
The Giant Flags vision is to uplift the community and address the social problems of unemployment, poverty and food insecurity. First they will be creating 700 permanent jobs. All public tenders will favor Camdeboo citizens and companies as a priority. Youth service programs will be strengthened to offer young people life skills training, and opportunity to participate in community development.
YOU can be part in making a change in people’s life’s, to leave a legacy and to be a step closer to put on of the oldest areas in South Africa back on the map. Go to www.giantflag.co.za and either adopt a succulents or cacti that represent one of the colours of the Giant Flag, or a solar panel or section of the white road. Lets all get involved, adopt and spread the news over social media. This project can be the blue print for other projects to come to life to bring sustainable income to other areas of this BEAUTIFUL country, we call home.
Job well done Guy and the team. This is a project to be watched closely and with lots of excitement.
Tashie van zyl 