Reflecting the community’s spirit, the small West Coast town of Hopefield buzzed with creativity during the recent winter school holiday as 50 local children gathered for an art competition workshop under the guidance of renowned artist and creative facilitator, Elton Lesch. The designs from these young artists will be combined to inspire the community company’s logo, reflecting the non-profit’s commitment to socio-economic development. This focus emphasizes empowering communities through initiatives in social welfare, education, health, and development.

Following the conclusion of the initiative, the Hopefield Wind Farm Local Community Company (HWFLCC) is pleased to announce the top three winners of the competition. First prize goes to Genoufine-Lee Cleophas (14), who creatively demonstrated the roles of both the Community Company and the wind farm. Second place is Zarah Williams (11), and third place goes to Ruzaan April (14). All of the winners are residents of Hopefield.

“This was a unique challenge in our community and municipal area and was met with great enthusiasm, with the young participants welcoming the challenge to create a logo, showcasing their creative talents,” said Johanna Stoffels, HWFLCC board member. The event, which drew participation from community members aged 10-16, was conducted with the aim of fostering creativity and offering a platform for the youth to contribute to a significant community project. Local artists and educators were on hand to facilitate the workshop, providing guidance and inspiration to the participants.

“The art competition sparked excitement among children, teachers, and board members alike. In fact, it has inspired facilitators to build on this momentum by nurturing young talent and the broader community in Hopefield. We look forward to seeing this initiative develop and hope that HWFLCC and Umoya Wind Farm will play key roles in its success,” added Rowan Lamont, HWFLCC board member. The prizes for the contest were generously set at R2 000 for first place, R1 000 for second, and R500 for third. In a gesture of appreciation, all participants were also awarded lunch packs, art supplies, and goodie bags. The new logo, once launched, will be a testament to the creativity and collaborative spirit of Hopefield’s youth.