The Kirstenbosch-South Africa exhibit at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in London has scooped a gold medal – the 30th in the history of South African exhibits.
This year's Chelsea Flower Show has been characterised by a sense of responsibility and sustainability. In a trend that is indicative of our global economic condition and an increasing sense of concern over our planet's health and well-being, the 2009 event has featured less ostentation and more creativity.
The South African design team of David Davidson and Raymond Hudson scooped their 17th medal in 17 years of designing the exhibit.
The innovative design team took the theme of biodiversity to show the world how our Botanical Gardens are the vital link in teaching the public about the foundation blocks for our survival - food, fuel, fibres, the energy we use, the water we drink and the air that we breathe.
Featuring four of the National Botanical Gardens from the following areas - Kirstenbosch (Cape Town), Hantam (Nieuwoudtville), Lowveld (Nelspruit) and Walter Sisulu (Roodepoort)- the quadrants represented the vista of the region. With a photograph of the area in the background and the unique flora of the area growing out of the picture, the exhibit creates the feeling of walking into the actual scenes.
“With this exhibit we took the climate change theme from 2008 further by showing how vital biodiversity is for our survival," said Davidson. "This 2009 exhibit shows some of what makes South Africa the third most biologically diverse country in the world and really captured the imagination of the judges and visitors alike."
South Africa is always one of the front runners in winning medals at the CFS; the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth - patron of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show - made a special request to visit the South African stand during her official visit on Monday afternoon.
For more on Havens of Biodiversity exhibit, visit the South African National Biodiversity Institute website.
