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A unique initiative to rally South Africans around the country's flag, was unveiled by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Thokozile Xasa on Thursday night.
The 66 hectare Giant Flag, created in the Valley of Desolation in the Karoo, is made up of millions of coloured desert succulents and a 4 megawatt solar field.
According to the Giant Flag Trust, it will be visible from space.
Trust Founder, Guy Lieberman, says the project was four years in the making and was created on denuded municipal land on the outskirts of Graaff Reinet.
He says the project, which has wide public and private sector support, grew out of a 2010 World Cup project where the real power, beauty and joy of the national flag was discovered during the soccer showpiece.
Lieberman says the Giant Flag presents a huge opportunity for not only the Camdeboo region but the Eastern Cape in general.
Some interesting facts/numbers about the flag
" 66 hectares of 2.5 million coloured desert plants (cacti and spekboom)
" 6.6 hectare solar field (66000m²) producing 4 megawatts with Eskom as a possible off-taker through the Small Projects IPP programme
" 40% unemployment (in Camdeboo)
" 700 jobs created (60% for women)
" R180 million - initiation phase R4 million, activation phase at around R5 million and build phase about R170 million
Where is The Giant Flag?
The Giant Flag will be established on municipal commonage of the Camdeboo Municipality, which comprises the three Karoo towns of Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and Nieu-Bethesda.
What is the Giant Flag's purpose?
The Giant Flag's purpose is to create a cycle of socio-economic development that addresses the challenges espoused in the National Development Plan. All jobs linked to the Giant Flag (either through direct employment, SMME incubation or contract) will be considered 'green collar'. All public tenders will favour Camdeboo citizens and companies as a priority, extending to the broader Eastern Cape.
