Snake wins beauty contest

The Boomslang at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has been voted the most beautiful object in South Africa.

The Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, as it is known, was one of 12 nominated works in the Most Beautiful Object in South Africa competition at the Design Indaba Expo 2015.

Yesterday it was announced most votes went to the walkway. Inspired by a snake's skeleton, the 130m steel and wood structure takes visitors on a winding walk through the arboretum, with views of the mountains, gardens and Cape Flats. Architect Mark Thomas and engineer Henry Fagan worked on it for three years.

Other objects nominated include a beaded work, The Boran Bull, by Ntombephi Ntobela; Political Berets by the EFF, ANC and DA; Explora satellite decoder by MultiChoice and Erre's Silk Organza and Leather Floral Dress.