The City Parks Department was, on 20 May 2014, awarded a Silver-Gilt in the Flora category at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.
The exhibition, themed ‘The Wonders of Cape Town’ is set against the backdrop of Table Mountain – one of the New 7 Wonders of the World – and showcases fynbos endemic to the Cape Floral Kingdom, including proteas, restios and pincushions. The City secured an exhibition spot in the Great Pavilion which is traditionally a space for awe-inspiring displays. The show is taking place in London, United Kingdom, until 24 May 2014.
In September 2013, City Parks won its third consecutive gold award at the 38th Sunday Tribune Garden and Leisure Show, held in Pietermaritzburg. As a result of this success, Council approved its application to exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.
‘We are very proud that City Parks has won an award at this prestigious event. Exhibiting at an international event of this calibre has given us an opportunity to showcase Cape Town’s unique horticultural character and raise its profile nationally and internationally. The City Parks Department has used the opportunity to outline the ways in which the department touches the lives of Capetonians through building, enhancing and conserving public open spaces, parks, trees and cemeteries,’ says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Special Projects, Alderman Belinda Walker.
The Chelsea Flower Show is renowned for being the world’s greatest flower show. Annually it is a sell-out attraction drawing approximately 160 000 visitors over the five-day exhibition period. It accommodates 11 hours of television coverage, is watched by some 2,7 million television viewers from around the world , and the Chelsea Flower Show homepage receives some 1,15 million hits annually.
‘This event enjoys national and international media and visitor interest, so there are opportunities for considerable marketing exposure for participants and their partners. Many countries compete at the event every year, including Australia, Japan, Canada, Venezuela, and Thailand, amongst others. It is therefore an ideal opportunity to market Cape Town as a world-class city, reinforcing its appeal to foreign investors and visitors.
‘We would like to congratulate the team on their fine achievement at their inaugural participation in this prestigious event,’ says Alderman Walker.
Congratulations from MapMyWay too – a wonderful first for Cape Town in its year as World Design Capital 2014.
