Butterflies are a symbol of transformation and change. Any person with a butterfly tattoo will be happy to tell you that (I am guilty as charged, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt).
However, it’s high time we go beyond the symbolism and start bringing some change to the butterflies themselves because as wonderful as they are, our little pals are struggling. No matter how many tattoos they serve as inspiration for, actual efforts toward raising targeted awareness, as well as conservation procurement have triumphed the ink in this case.
Capetonian artists brought the plight of one particular butterfly species to the attention of the world.
The Barber’s Cape Flats ranger butterfly is sadly, critically endangered. There are only 50-100 individuals that remain in the wild near Strandfontein according to Fynbos Life. Their struggle has now become the inspiration for the Muizenberg artists to create sculptures in the ranger butterfly’s honour.
They created 50 gigantic (in comparison to most butterflies I’ve personally seen) sculptures to raise artistic awareness.
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They’re attention-grabbing, take a hyperrealistic focus and have definitely stayed on my mind since I laid eyes on the works because of how curiously real they are. There isn’t a sugar coating of beauty in the way we traditionally think of butterflies, which I think adds a sense of depth.
The name says it all.
The sculpture is still magnificent. The name? Tubutubu. “Which means ‘butterfly’ in Kora, the lost Khoi language of the early Cape. A tribute to our local cultural and natural heritage which we’re losing too fast,” says @Fynboslife.
Fynbos Life, Locally Indigenous Flora Education is a non-profit that’s helping the flora of our country flourish again.
The sculptures serve as a new addition to the Zandvlei skyline according to @fynboslife. The Zandvlei Trust was a real team player who sponsored the creation of the sculptures.
Zandvlei.
Zandvlei Estuary Nature Reserve is also working to help boost the critically endangered ranger butterfly population. They’re additionally “one of the most important estuaries for recruitment of fish and stumpnose. Beyond this, their habitat is vital for birdlife and amphibians, according to GoodThingsGuy.
Back to the butterflies.
Fynbos Life alongside, their art, has planted tons of spear grass (the caterpillars’ favourite host plant) to hopefully boost the species.
The grass has been planted at the Strandveld Circle, which will serve as a future receptor site.
The sculpture was created by the very talented local Muizies artist Angela Mac Pherson and her team: Orland Kavhai, Sean Mac Pherson, Monwabisi Dasi, Joshua Brauer, McNiel, Thumelo & Thoriso Kuena, Sarah Sun and LJ Wolfaardt.
Picture:@fynboslife