SOUTH AFRICA SHINES AT CHELSEA

The Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit has made South Africa proud by striking a silver medal at The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show in London this year.

The Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit which, this year, took its inspiration from nature’s Golden Ratio, the Fibonacci spiral, and the four natural elements – earth, wind, water and fire, has won numerous medals in 32 attempts at Chelsea, an event that is considered the “floral Olympics”.

The Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit, co-ordinated by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and sponsored by First National Bank (FNB), was designed by David Davidson and Raymond Hudson in collaboration with Durban-based Obbligato,
manufacturers of contemporary plant pots and garden furniture.

Brett Erasmus, Head of Segment Marketing at sponsor First National Bank, said “This is yet another fantastic achievement by the team and many congratulations to all of them from all of us at FNB – it is a huge honour for FNB to be associated with such a successful venture.”

Thousands of visitors have been attracted to the Kirstenbosch exhibit, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; singer and activist Sir Bob Geldof, Australian entertainer Rolf Harris and British actress Joanna Lumley who chatted to thrilled members of Team South Africa.

South Africans will be able to enjoy the Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit when it is recreated courtesy of First National Bank at the Garden World Spring Fair in Gauteng (from July 27 to September 2), at the Sunday Tribune Garden & Leisure Show in Pietermaritzburg (from October 5 to October 7) and at the Cape Town Flower Show at Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West (from October 24 to October 28).

The Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit is located in the Grand Pavilion at stand number D23. It measures 10m X 10m.