South Africa has scooped its 31st gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London this week.

Themed around two World Heritage sites found in South Africa - the Cape Floral Kingdom and the Richtersveld - the design captured the judges' imagination to scoop a coveted gold once more.

This is the 36th year that South Africa has participated in the Chelsea Flower Show and is an important opportunity to showcase South Africa to over 160 000 international visitors.

A joyful team celebrated at the show joined by jubilant sponsors MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Provincial Government of the Western Cape (PGWC) Gerrit van Rensburg and Alan Demby, Chairman of the SA Gold Coin Exchange and Scoin shops.

"This advertisement for our beautiful country benefits the Western Cape tourism industry and the rest of the country. It also serves as a showcase for empowerment farming projects that are creating jobs and contributing to the economic development of the country," said Van Rensburg

These sponsors came to the rescue this year after the South African National Biodiversity Institute had announced that it was unable to take part at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show due to lack of funds.  

"Our exhibit is always popular, but this year exceeded expectations as there was a fascination for the unusual specimens we were able to show," said designers David Davidson and Ray Hudson.

"The display offers visitors many reasons to visit South Africa, but mostly because of the diversity of our plant life."

This 2011 award winning exhibit will be recreated back on home ground later in the year in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town when residents will once more be able to celebrate another golden milestone!