The DUT Department of Student Housing and the African Green Campus Initiative (AGCI) recently teamed up to present DUT’s first “green” fashion show aimed at creating awareness to students about environmental sustainability as well as how they can take care of the environment both on and off campus.

The AGCI initiative aims to promote climate change interventions at institutions of higher education. The DUT “green” fashion show saw BTech students, as well as first, second and third-year students from different DUT residences battle it out for the top spot. “The garments were designed using any recyclable material such as paper, plastic and tin, etc,” said Lebo Zwane, DUT AGCI chairman and third-year Consumer Science and Nutrition student at DUT.

“AGCI is all about making sure that students and the community in and around our institution is aware of the impact of climate change. It’s also about finding ways of saving the planet for future generations as well as teaching students about the need to save water and electricity in their residences. The campaign is also about making sure that we get sponsorship from outside DUT and about changing the negative image that some people have about DUT,” said Zwane.

Essenwood Residence won the competition and wowed judges with their innovative ideas and creative designs. The panel of judges consisted of the university’s very own students. This, said Zwane, was because “the University has many talented students”.

“We even took a risk of making first year students MC and direct the show because I believe in student development and growth and they didn’t disappoint,” he added.

– Nikita Smith-Morgan

Pictured: One of the many innovative designs showcased at the AGCI and DUT Residence Fashion Show.