The launch of the Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, took place on Sunday (May 22), the International Day of Biodiversity.
The garden supplements South Africa’s network of national botanical gardens by contributing approximately 82ha of the Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld. With only 2,2% of this threatened vegetation type under formal protection, the declaration and launch serves as a conservation win for the country and its people.
Situated within the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, the largest biosphere reserve in the country, the garden is home to a number of unique butterfly species, insects and threatened plant species. Of special importance, not just to conservation but to local communities, are the species that have important cultural and medicinal value,
SANBI Chairperson, Prof Edward Nesamvuni said: “Our vision is for this botanical garden to play its part in highlighting and promoting indigenous plants that are used for food, African arts, medicine, perfumes, traditional architecture, horticulture, and agriculture, and a garden that serves to increase the connection between people and biodiversity.”
Click here to view the video of the garden.
