Nangamso Mabindla

When Buffalo City Councillor Sizwe Dikimolo visited local tertiary institutions earlier this year to ask students to design a logo for the R1-billion Mdantsane Urban Renewal Project, he asked them to capture everything the township had to offer.

Dikimolo told the students to represent the township in pictures that would be readily understood. The Buffalo City Further Education and Training college students were inspired by his challenge - and by the R2 000 prize money for the winning entry.

When 22-year-old graphic design student Viwe Ketse entered the competition, he believed he had an edge over the other students as he was born and lives in Mdantsane.

"When they said we should incorporate Mdantsane into a logo, I knew I had a chance. I was born here, so I know the ins and outs of the place, the people, the lifestyle and everything that goes with Mdantsane," he said.

Ketse said his design included the four-roomed houses found in Mdantsane as they depict how people live. "Actually, that was easy part as there are so many of these houses around I figured I should include them. The road depicts the roads that we'll have as a result of the urban renewal programme. The tree depicts a park. Every residential area must have a park, but we don't have that in Mdantsane. I believe this project will bring those changes."

One of the most striking aspects of the logo is the sun rising behind the houses. Ketse said that feature was the most important: "The sun always gives hope of a new, better, day and I believe that the programme is that sun because it is giving hope of a better tomorrow for the children growing up in the area.

"When you talk about municipalities, people become very negative but this project is bound to change their perceptions and they will see the good work the municipality is doing for its people," said Ketse.

He said he would like the logo to be a constant reminder to the people of how far Mdantsane had come.