What spider is this I saw in South Africa?

Question

I'm arachnophobic, so I didn't care much at the time, but I'm intrigued as to what spider I disturbed while hiking in South Africa.

As far as I recall, it was blue with yellow dots, and black legs, and was sitting in the middle of a gold coloured web which had a zigzag running from the centre to the bottom. Or at least it was sitting there until I ran straight through the web.

One serious panic attack and 11 years later, I'm in a mood of curiosity about it.

The reason I remember this spider so well is because there were a few other times I'd seen others the same, complete with the curious gold zig-zagged web, but I kept my distance.

Answer 1

Go to the South African section and ask.....Home/Travel/Africa & Middle East/South Africa.

There is a Biologist there named Vango (Short for Okavango)  that is clued up.

Answer 2

could be this one:

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=ht...

this one has the verigated web you mention:

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=ht...

this one isn't quite what you describe, but has the goldish web...

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=ht...

Answer 3

Sounds like some type of orb-weaver.

Answer 4

i don't know, and i hope to never personally find out...lol

i'm arachnophobic too.