If you’ve been browsing ceiling fans and fallen in love with the tropical, palm-leaf aesthetic of the Bora Ceiling Fan from Selective Fans, you’ve probably already discovered the big decision: Rattan blades or ABS blades? They look remarkably similar at first glance – both capture that effortless island living style – but under the surface they’re quite different. This FAQ breaks down everything you need to know so you can choose the right Bora for your home, lodge, or commercial space.
What is the Bora Ceiling Fan?
The Bora Ceiling Fan is one of the most distinctive fans in the Selective Fans collection. Named after the Bora Bora island paradise, it’s designed to bring island living into your home with its unmistakable tropical palm-leaf blade design. Whether you’re fitting out a coastal retreat, a boutique hotel suite, a breezy bedroom, or an outdoor entertainment area, the Bora is engineered to be an immediate focal point.
At 132 cm in diameter, the Bora is a generously sized fan that commands attention — and it comes in two very different blade options that suit two very different priorities: the natural, organic Rattan version and the performance-led ABS version.
Both share the same iconic silhouette. What differs is everything underneath: motor type, airflow capacity, speed settings, and functionality. Let’s get into it.
What Are Rattan Blades? (Natural Palm Leaf)
The Rattan blade Bora features blades crafted from natural palm leaves – the real thing. This gives the fan an authentically organic, textured look that no synthetic material can perfectly replicate. Think woven beach hut ceilings, boutique island resort lounges, or a stylish coastal living room drenched in natural light.
Rattan Bora at a Glance:
- 132 cm natural palm leaf blades
- 3 wind speeds via remote control (with wall bracket)
- Quiet AC motor
- Remote control included with wall bracket
- Does not circulate air effectively – the porous nature of the palm leaves means air passes through rather than being pushed around the room
This is the most important thing to understand about the Rattan Bora: it is designed more for mood than for maximum airflow. The blades are porous — air filters through the natural leaf material rather than being directed around the room the way solid blades would. If you’re in a very warm room and relying on the fan as your primary cooling source, the Rattan Bora may not deliver the performance you need.
What it will deliver, without question, is mesmerising visual impact and a sense of tranquillity. For spaces where ambiance is king — a spa treatment room, a sun-drenched breakfast nook, a holiday home that only needs light, gentle airflow — it’s genuinely hard to beat.
Best for: Aesthetic-led spaces, boutique hotels, coastal holiday homes, spa environments, outdoor covered areas where the visual is the priority.
What Are ABS Blades?
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a high-quality engineering-grade plastic used widely in premium consumer products and manufacturing. In the context of the ABS Bora ceiling fan, the blades are shaped and textured to convincingly replicate the look of tropical palm leaves – while being solid, precisely balanced, and purpose-built to move air efficiently.
The result? You get the island aesthetic of the Rattan Bora without compromising on cooling performance. For South African homes where summers are genuinely hot — and where a fan needs to do real work — the ABS Bora is the one to consider.
ABS Bora at a Glance:
- 132 cm ABS palm leaf-inspired blades
- 6 wind speeds — far more granular control than the Rattan version
- Quiet, energy-efficient DC motor
- Reverse function — circulates warm air downward in cooler months
- Remote control with wall bracket included
- Perfectly balanced with precision — wobble-free, whisper-quiet operation
- Excellent airflow circulation throughout the room
Best for: Living rooms, bedrooms, open-plan spaces, lodges, restaurants, and any space where both style and cooling performance are non-negotiable.
FAQ: Do the Rattan Blades Actually Move Air?
This is the most common question we receive about the Bora, and the honest answer is: not effectively.
Natural palm leaf blades are porous by nature. When the fan rotates, air passes through the leaf material rather than being displaced around the room the way solid blades would push it. You’ll feel the gentle movement of the fan rotating – a soft, ambient breeze – but if you need meaningful airflow and cooling circulation, the ABS blade version is the right choice.
Think of the Rattan Bora the way you’d think of a decorative fireplace — beautiful, atmospheric, functional in a soft sense, but not the primary heating solution for a cold room. It’s the fan equivalent of a statement piece that happens to offer gentle airflow.
The ABS Bora, by contrast, is a fully functional, high-performance ceiling fan that happens to look stunning. Six speeds and a precision-balanced DC motor mean it can genuinely cool a room.
FAQ: What’s the Difference Between the AC and DC Motor?
The motor is one of the most significant differences between the two Bora variants — and it matters beyond just performance.
Rattan Bora — AC Motor
The Rattan version uses a quiet AC (alternating current) motor. AC motors are tried-and-tested, reliable, and perfectly suited to lower-speed operation. They’re a good match for the Rattan Bora because the priority here is quiet, gentle rotation rather than high-output airflow.
ABS Bora — DC Motor
The ABS version upgrades to a DC (direct current) motor — and this is where things get meaningfully better for performance enthusiasts. DC motors offer:
- ⚡ Up to 70% greater energy efficiency compared to standard AC motors
- 🔇 Even quieter operation — DC motors produce less electromagnetic noise
- 🌀 More precise speed control — enabling 6 distinct speeds vs. 3
- 🔄 Reverse function capability — AC motors can reverse, but DC motors do it more efficiently
For a fan you’ll run for hours every day through a South African summer, the long-term electricity savings of a DC motor are genuinely worth factoring into your decision — not just the upfront price.
FAQ: Speeds, Reverse Function & Remote Control
| Rattan Bora | ABS Bora | |
|---|---|---|
| Speeds | 3 | 6 |
| Motor | AC | DC |
| Reverse Function | No | Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes (wall bracket incl.) | Yes (wall bracket incl.) |
| Airflow | Minimal (porous blades) | Excellent |
| Blade Material | Natural palm leaf | ABS plastic (palm-inspired) |
| Diameter | 132 cm | 132 cm |
| Energy Efficiency | Standard | High (DC motor) |
The reverse function on the ABS Bora is worth a special mention. In summer, your fan should rotate anti-clockwise (when viewed from below) to push cool air down. In winter, switching to clockwise rotation on a low speed gently redistributes warm air that has risen to the ceiling — a simple trick that can meaningfully reduce your heating costs. Only the ABS Bora gives you this flexibility.
How Much Does the Bora Ceiling Fan Cost?
The Bora Ceiling Fan is priced between R9,450 and R12,500 depending on your chosen blade and rod configuration. Given the craftsmanship, motor quality, and design impact it delivers, it represents excellent value within the premium ceiling fan category. Delivery: Selective Fans offers free delivery within South Africa on orders over R5,000 – so your Bora qualifies. Orders to main metro areas typically arrive within 3–5 working days from dispatch; outlying areas within 5–7 working days. International shipping is also available.
You can view all current pricing and add the Bora to your cart directly on the Bora Ceiling Fan product page.
Ready to Bring the Island Feeling Home?
Explore both versions of the Bora — and the full Selective Fans collection including the Levante, Mistral, Aura, and more — at selectivefans.co.za. Free delivery on orders over R5,000 within South Africa. International shipping available.
Not sure which fan suits your space? Get in touch with the Selective Fans team — or reach out via Instagram @selectivefans for personalised design advice.