A proudly South African sleeveless Christmas jumper – made by a whole community and stitched together from leftovers – may be headed for the mayor’s shoulders at this year’s festive lights switch-on.
Cape Town, South Africa (23 October 2026) – You know Christmas is properly on its way in the Mother City when the Festive Lights Switch-On rolls around.
Every year, Capetonians head to the Grand Parade for a free night of fun and the magical moment when the mayor flicks the switch and festive lights sparkle in the streets. It’s a special memory that families look forward to making every year.
A charming challenge has become a recent tradition in the build-up to the big day.
The Wear the Hope Design and Make Challenge asks Capetonians to design the festive top the mayor will wear at the switch-on. The winner makes the garment and presents it to the mayor at a ‘test drive’ on 11 November before it is worn at the main event at the end of the month!
This year, Kenilworth resident Inez Shaw scooped the top spot in the 2nd annual challenge with a red-on-black crochet vest called ‘Masikhuthazane,’ which means ‘Let us encourage one another.’
Inez invited friends, family, students, staff, alumni and community members to each crochet a square of their own, using reclaimed and leftover yarn. Stuff that could have been tossed out was instead used to create something special.
“A beacon of hope can begin at home, with one person teaching another a stitch. With encouragement, that stitch becomes a skill, and that skill can offer hope for a brighter future,” said Shaw, whose grandmother taught her to crochet when she was just four years old.
“Masikhuthazane is about recognising that every contribution matters. Whether it’s a stitch, a skill, an idea or an act of kindness, we all have something to offer. Unity does not require sameness. When we bring our individual contributions together, we can create something extraordinary.”
Shaw’s granny taught her to crochet when she was just four years old, and the vest honours her grandmother’s and mother’s legacies, along with her connection to the Elizabeth Galloway Academy of Fashion.
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“It demonstrates how materials can be valued and given renewed purpose, while celebrating a traditional craft through teaching, learning and the sharing of skills.”
Now the design gets turned into a finished garment. It will be presented to the Mayor at the Festive Lights Switch-On Test Drive on 11 November, and that’s when the final consideration happens. The mayor tries it on, and we find out whether it’s making an appearance at the big event.
Inez has paid her win forward by nominating Molo Mhlaba to receive R5000 worth of art supplies from the city.
The Festive Lights Switch-On 2026 happens on 29 November this year, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Grand Parade, Darling Street, Cape Town CBD. It’s free, it’s family-friendly and everyone’s welcome.
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