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Sponsor saves Kirstenbosch show

4 Mar 2011

Following media announcements and public opinion support, the 2011 SA-Kirstenbosch Chelsea Flower Show exhibit has been saved and will now go ahead thanks to the sponsorship of the provincial government of the Western Cape and the SA Gold Coin Exchange, thus continuing a 35-year-run of exhibiting.

The display will be heading off to London to the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show from 23-26 May 2011.

"Our grateful thanks must go to the sponsors, who responded so quickly to our media announcement and the groundswell of public interest," said Dr Tanya Abrahamse, CEO of SANBI. "This exhibit has become an institution in South Africa and is not only a major attraction for tourists to visit our country to see the diversity and beauty of our floral kingdom but is also a vital way of preserving our heritage and supporting the economy."

Agriculture MEC, Gerrit van Rensberg, speaking on behalf of provincial government, said that when he heard that SANBI had not managed to raise the funds to showcase South Africa's unique biodiversity at the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in over 35 years, he engaged his colleagues to raise the funds between their departments 'to make it happen'.

"During 2010 there was not a country in the world that was not exposed to the beauty and excellence of South Africa but we cannot rest on history. We must keep our uniqueness out there in the world's eye," he said.

The flower show exhibit is an important element in gaining support for Table Mountain to become one of the seven wonders of the world. In addition, as a showcase of design talent, it reinforces Cape Town's bid to become World Design Capital 2014. The Western Cape's commitment to sustainable development and building on the advantages of the emerging green economy is showcased through this project.

Co-sponsor Alan Demby, chairman of the SA Gold Coin Exchange and The Scoin Shop welcomed this public/private sector partnership, "As a business operating in both South Africa and the UK, sponsoring this exhibit made huge business sense. There are so many synergies. Celebrating our floral heritage has been a major feature of the Protea gold coins since the SA Mint brought out its first coin in the series in 1986, celebrating the centenary of Johannesburg. If our designers bring back gold from the Chelsea Flower Show, we will give them each a gold Nelson Mandela medallion," he said.