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SANBI Infrastructure Upgrade Programme

A nine-year infrastructure upgrade programme supporting SANBI’s national mandate through strategic planning, procurement, and implementation across South Africa’s botanical gardens.

Client

South African National Biodiversity Institute

Project date

2013–2022

The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) plays a vital role in promoting sustainable development by enabling access to biodiversity data, generating knowledge, and conserving biodiversity through its network of botanical and zoological gardens across eight provinces.

The opportunity

In 2013, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries allocated R521 million to SANBI for infrastructure development. This funding aimed to support SANBI’s mandate through the expansion of national gardens and the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The challenge lay in managing a diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects that would enhance SANBI’s capacity for research, education, conservation, and tourism.

What we did

Zutari was appointed to provide programme management and project controls, including advising on procurement and contractor appointments. Over the course of the programme, Zutari facilitated more than 172 professional and contractor appointments across SANBI’s gardens. Key projects included:

  • The design and construction of education centres in KwaZulu-Natal, Karoo Desert, and Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens.

  • New administration buildings at Kirstenbosch and the KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium, supporting research and conservation of indigenous plant specimens.

  • The demolition and reconstruction of a bridge at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.

  • A flagship wetland rehabilitation project at the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, which saw the return of bird and insect life.

  • A river maintenance and management plan at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, designed to mitigate flood risks and protect infrastructure.
The newly constructed education centre at Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, designed to support biodiversity learning for local schools.

The outcome

The programme successfully delivered infrastructure that supports SANBI’s long-term goals. The projects enhanced research capabilities, improved accessibility, and contributed to environmental conservation. The wetland and river rehabilitation initiatives demonstrated measurable ecological benefits, while the education centres and administrative buildings strengthened SANBI’s outreach and operational capacity.

The SANBI Infrastructure Upgrade Programme stands as a model for collaborative, sustainable infrastructure development. Zutari’s role in planning, design, and implementation has helped SANBI fulfil its mandate and build resilience across its national gardens. The success of this programme has laid the foundation for future biodiversity-linked infrastructure initiatives.

“Zutari’s professionalism and expertise in managing large infrastructure programmes have made them a trusted advisor to SANBI.”

SANBI Representative

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