Infrastructure problems at Kirstenbosch worsen: SANBI funds face an 839 million rand deficit

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) requires a budget of 741 million rand to carry out infrastructure upgrade works at Kirstenbosch Gardens and Pilanesberg National Park.

During a meeting on Wednesday, where SANBI met with the committee and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), as well as the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism of the North West, Nkabisa Gantsho, Chairperson of the Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, noted that the challenges in Kirstenbosch and Pilanesberg require attracting donors and stakeholders to secure the financial and operational resources necessary for long-term sustainability.

The committee was informed that the network of South Africa's national botanical and zoological gardens, managed by SANBI, is facing significant infrastructure challenges that jeopardize its ability to perform vital functions in nature conservation, research, education, and tourism.

The SANBI report addressed infrastructure issues at Kirstenbosch Gardens and Pilanesberg National Park. It was emphasized that both reserves are vital for nature conservation, tourism, community development, and heritage preservation.

Gantsho explained that such gardens, including the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, are not only centers of biodiversity and social cohesion in urban environments but also important contributors to the local economy and job creation. However, the infrastructure supporting these functions is under severe strain due to historical underfunding, aging facilities, and growing needs.

The committee chairperson explained that the main difficulty lies in the substantial gap between available funding and actual infrastructure needs. Although DFFE allocated 180 million rand for 2024/2025, the projected infrastructure need for 2027/2028 alone is 741 million rand, with the shortfall expected to reach 839 million rand by 2029/2030.

This deficit hinders the maintenance and modernization of crucial assets such as water supply systems, security, electricity, roads, and visitor amenities. Many gardens were established over a century ago, and their aging infrastructure requires urgent restoration to meet modern standards of safety, accessibility, and sustainability.

Gantsho added that operational complexities exacerbate these financial constraints. SANBI is forced to prioritize income-generating infrastructure, nature conservation sites, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The complexity of infrastructure planning increases due to the need to balance commercial activities with mandates for nature conservation and education, which includes events, restaurants, and plant sales.

She also mentioned that expanding green energy and water conservation initiatives, while necessary for sustainability, requires significant initial investments that are difficult to secure under current budgetary limitations.

Furthermore, staffing and capacity have suffered. Critical vacancies, especially in horticulture and technical fields, limit the ability to effectively maintain and develop infrastructure. While volunteer support and public-private partnerships help partially, they cannot replace permanent strategic investment.