South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Public Entity · Economic Infrastructure and Development · reports to Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
The South African National Biodiversity Institute leads biodiversity research, monitoring and knowledge management. It was established under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004).
It monitors and reports on the state of the country’s biodiversity, maintains national botanical and zoological collections, and provides the scientific evidence that informs conservation planning, environmental assessment and land use decisions.
It manages the national botanical gardens, including Kirstenbosch in Cape Town, Walter Sisulu near Johannesburg and Pretoria National Botanical Garden, together with the zoological gardens in Pretoria. South Africa is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, and its Red List assessments of species are compiled here. It reports to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.
Audit record, 5 years
Financial highlights, 2024/25
- Total Revenue
- R1.1bn
- Total Expenditure
- −R1.0bn
- Total Assets
- R1.1bn
- Total Liabilities
- R342m
Values in rand. Sparklines run oldest to newest and are scaled to each series, not to zero.
Leadership, 23 listed
- Chairperson
- Dr Mmaphaka Tau
- Deputy Chairperson
- Prof Edward Nesamvuni
- Board Members
- Mr Eugene Jooste Ms Bulelwa Koyana Ms Mukondi Matshusa Dr Andrew Muir Ms Sharmala Naidoo Dr Ayanda Ntanda Ms Lebogang Ralepeli Adv Candice Kirsty Slump
- Chief Executive Officer
- Mr Shonisani Munzhedzi
- Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Maphefo Sedite
- Executive Managers
- Dr Theressa Frantz Mr Elliot Mashile
- Senior Management
- Dr Mandy Barnett Dr Tsepang Makholela Ms Nontsikelelo Mpulo Mr Leslie Mudimeli Mr Maano Netshiombo Prof Ramagwai Sebola Mr Mahlodi Tau Mr Christopher Willis
- Communications Officers
- Ms Nontsikelelo Mpulo
Description written for this directory from the entity’s own published sources: www.sanbi.org, www.gov.za