CAPE TOWN -- A South African who believes homes made of cannabis could be the answer to the country's housing problem plans to hand over a petition to the office of the Public Protector today.
The petition describes cannabis -- a plant genus that includes what South Africans know as dagga -- as "a sustainable agricultural option for economic empowerment" and calls for government departments to participate in a forum to develop policy "more in keeping with international trends".
André du Plessis said that cannabis mixed with lime was currently used for home construction and insulation in France and Germany, and that it had a long history as a building material.
"I'm trying to build some affordable housing for those people who live in shanty towns. That's my angle on it."
He said cannabis had medical uses, and that, for Africa, it was the cheapest way to get full-blown HIV-positive patients to eat again.
"Cannabis is Africa's best choice for an affordable Aids drug, something that can help control pain and alleviate the illness."
The petition has been signed by people ranging from politicians and surgeons to "folk from the street". There were also one or two dagga growers. "They have put their names down, but not a contact address."
- Sapa
No comments:
Post a Comment