Abstract
M.Tech. (Fine Art)
Unemployment and the crime levels which escalate as a result of it, are very realistic
social problems in South Africa and training for job skills and entrepreneurship has
become a priority. This study identifies the use of invasive plant fibres as a viable
resource for the hand papermaking industry and the development of a new cultural
industry. The research' funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the
Technikon Research Committee (TRC) has been implemented in an established
poverty relief programme called Phumani Paper', which creates jobs especially in
rural or impoverished sectors through technology transfer and training. A curriculum
is currently being developed for current and future participants of this programme to
obtain qualifications in hand papermaking.
An investigation has been undertaken to define suitable invasive plant species for the
purpose of this research. The investigation included the extent of invasive
encroachment, plant identification, methods of control and government legislation.
Initially water hyacinth (eichhomia crassipes) was identified as a suitable fibre, but
because Phumani Paper supports 21 small paper businesses in seven provinces,
research had to be undertaken on several different species found in each of the
regions. Species such as moth catcher (Araujia sericifera), milkweed (Asclepias
fruticosa), pampas grass (Cortadeira selloana), giant reed (Arundo donax) and
bugweed (Solanum mauritianum) have been identified as viable fibres for the hand
papermaking industry, due to their fibrous characteristics...