Fencing & Welding Styles

Mood: "Eish"
Song in mind: "Senzeni na?..."
Site: Kwa-Thema
Mission: Research about fences and welding styles

"Senzeni na, senzeni na....’ was the song on my mind since I had to wake up so early in the morning on a holiday. "Eish" was what I uttered as I ressurrected from my bed, but the research had to be done. Off we were to Kwa-Thema to perform our individual research. You can imagine what a scene it was-four black guys, in a black car, with black shades and black leather jackets, listening to Bricks, "sweety my baby" and most of all with Khula sitting at the back.

On our arrival, we headed straight for Steers-even dedicated students such as ourselves need to have breakfast. We walked together most of the time as we were researching our individual topics. I was fascinated by the waist-height transparent fences prevailing in Kwa-Thama. The residents still embrace ideals of neighbourliness as they interact with each other across the low fences. I was also moved by the iconography used in the fences. One can determine the status, wealth and culture of the residents by looking at the fences and welding methods used.

I interviewed a welder who helped me to understand the different styles of welding and fences used in Kwa-Thema. He stated that there is a high level of creativity amongst the residents, which shows some levels of compaitiveness from neighbours. My favourite fence that I saw was a fence made of old empty gas tanks, which were linked with an angle at the top and looked like a balustrade more than a fence.

Recycling is performed unconsciously in Kwa-Thema and i suppose this is the whole idea of the project-to bring about an awareness of this skill in the community and perhaps create a sense of pride in how they treat their environment.

On our way home, Tseleng (Co-ordinator) took us to see a famous artist’s double storey house which he built single-handedly. I think that this just confirms the creative attitude within which Kwa-Thema residents approach their environment.