ITS distinctive appearance is what makes the uMhlanga ‘whalebone’ pier one of the most iconic landmarks in South Africa and indeed the world. Media giant CNN recently confirmed the pier naming it as the world’s most beautiful after freelance writer Tamara Hinson began researching piers worldwide.

A firm favourite with photographers, the 80 meter walkway, was built in 2007 and represents a whale’s skeleton. It is an extension of an underground culvert that helps disperse excess storm water from the land into the ocean.

The distinctive whale bone structure won the South African National Award for Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement.

Peter Rose, the chairman of uMhlanga Tourism, said he was delighted with the news. “We’ve always known there was something special about the pier and this accolade confirms it. It’s one of uMhlanga’s main tourist destinations, its iconic structure draws people to it,” he said.

He added the uMhlanga tourism board would be putting up a plaque to highlight the accolade.