competition
28 November 2006
Mafikeng: A twenty year old, Travis Paterson, from Klerksdorp, was announced
as the winner of the North West Provincial Legislature Mace Competition, which
has been running since April 2005. Travis' design was selected because it
encompassed all that is great, positive, and wonderful about our province. The
elated Paterson received a prize of R11 000 which he has opted to be used as
part of his fees for his continued studies in 2007. The North West Provincial
Legislature will pay this amount directly to the institution.
"This new mace will embody all aspects of the past and present history of
the North West province. From the footprints of man through the ages, toward
legislative democracy our history is represented in this symbolic sceptre,"
said the unruffled Paterson. Paterson goes on to explain every single element
that went into the design of the mace.
The base of the mace locates into a small plinth (pedestal) which is to be
fashioned from marble sourced at the famous Taung heritage site. This depicts
the origins of man with a footprint indentation as a manifestation of the
beliefs of the villagers of Atamelang that man took his first steps here.
Man's progress in the agricultural field is demonstrated in the attached
section by a wooden ploughshare. This farm implement is a skilful
representation of all disciplines of agriculture. The selection of solid camel
thorn wood represents the strength of the industry.
The handle (mid-section) of the mace, describes the industrial (mining)
sectors of the North West province. This section is principally coated alloy
and is ingeniously assembled to allow for fully functional bearings. A cowhide
handgrip section is included halfway up the shaft and shows the strength of the
province in livestock farming. This cowhide will have the coat of arms of the
province embossed using the pyrographic technique. The gold plated bearings
further represent continuous forward motion in the industrial divisions of the
provincial economy.
The second to top section of the mace is a chrome-plated alloy shaped as a
brilliant cut "diamond." The diamond rush of 1926 was almost certainly the
basis for today's organised labour driven economy. This theme extends to the
head of the staff. This cut glass stand at the head of the mace gives the ideal
opportunity to show the "big five" in all their glory. This would be either
embossed or sandblasted onto alternate facets of the "diamond." This is also a
depiction of the thriving eco-tourist industry offered in our brilliant
climate.
The head (top section) of the mace is representative of the present day
provincial stability. Water is the lifeblood of any nation. The gold, water
filled receptacle is held by the hands of the provincial labour force. The
hands held the vessel to the sky as graphic symbol of gratitude to God. The
hands also encompass the graphic representation of our seat of government and
administration.
The second runner up was Kishore Pampaul from Mmabatho and he received a
prize of R5 000 Game shopping vouchers and the third runner-up was Moretele
Monchonyane, from Mafikeng and he received a Game shopping voucher to the value
of R3 000. Other shortlisted entrants were Malothane, Tshepo Mere, Emmanual
Moloi, Kenosi Modise, Tebogo Khunou, Jonathan Chwaile, Mpho Kgwadi, Albert
Xabanisa, Levy Sephiri, Kgopolo Makiti and Tumelo Tsoene who all received R1
000 Game gift vouchers.
"We are so excited that so many young people from different walks of life
and all races entered and took such an interest in this competition. I am
thrilled to say that we went through an exhaustive process to come to this
point and we are so excited about our new mace. Travis will be working very
closely with those responsible for crafting the final masterpiece. We think
that it is only fitting that he is part of this process all the way through,"
said an elated Thandi Modise, Speaker of the Legislature.
Please note that pictures of the winner and the runners up are available
upon request.
Enquiries:
Ms Roberta Makhambeni
Tel: (018) 392 7158
Cell: 082 779 4641
E-mail: roberta@nwpl.org.za
Issued by: North West Legislature, North West Provincial Government
28 November 2006
