Kirstenbosch Gardens Centenary: International Biodiversity Day

Celebrate the 100th birthdays of Africa’s most beautiful garden and biodiversity science

The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a richly diverse ecosystem and natural World Heritage Site, celebrates both its centennial year and biodiversity science’s 100^th anniversary, on Wednesday, 22 May 2013, with free entrance to the grounds and a special jam-packed line-up of events. The two milestones coincide with International Biodiversity Day, and the gardens will mark the momentous occasion by giving visitors an insider’s view of the forces that sustain the breathtaking nature.

The United Nations declared 22 May to be International Day for Biological Diversity in order to create awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues and drive home the idea that “Nature protects if she is protected.” In honour of this credo, Kirstenbosch Gardens invites flora and fauna buffs, eco aficionados and anyone who loves being outside to enjoy a day-long programme filled with interactive display areas, four films, guided walks and talks that illustrate how science has an impact on our daily lives and the importance of biodiversity for a functioning ecosystem. Biodiversity planning, population ecology and the Millennium Seed Bank project are just some of the topics that will be illuminated in displays, plus, activities like bioblitzes (biological surveying) and a GIS garden game will keep environmentalists of all ages engaged.

Films and talks will be held in the front section of the Old Mutual Conference Centre at Gate 1, and the showcase display area will be at the back – just follow the signs. All walks will depart from the piazza outside the Old Mutual Conference Centre unless otherwise stated. As noted, on International Biodiversity Day, entrance into the garden is absolutely free, and booking for the events isn’t necessary.

Check the programme for International Biodiversity Day at Kirstenbosch Gardens to read more about the films, talks and walks.

Kirstenbosch Centenary

The lush well-watered slopes of Kirstenbosch were used by Khoi and colonists until lobbyists convinced Parliament that the exceptional plants that grew in the area should be protected as a botanical garden. It was agreed on the condition that an organisation -- the Botanical Society of South Africa – formed to support the development, and, on 1 July 1913, the estate was handed over to the Trustees of Kirstenbosch.

Today, visitors can see trees and plants that have been there since the beginning or shortly after the garden opened. Those green-growers turning 100 this year are recognisable by a special badge of honour marking them as centenarians. What’s more, garden lovers and historians will get a kick out of the 40m long retrospective banner designed by David Davidson called “Kirstenbosch…in bygone days”. The wonderful, visually engaging timeline features photographic material that shows early developments and the people who worked tirelessly to make the garden what it is today. The banner is on display just below the main lawn in front of Kirstenbosch’s Moyo Restaurant.       

As part of the historic celebrations, Botanical Society Garden guides will be available every first Saturday of the month until December 2013 to lead informative guided walks through Kirstenbosch. The secrets of the old property will be revealed, and walkers can get a sense of what it was like before there were roads and flower beds -- it was all farmland teeming with alien plants and herds of pigs. The walks start at the front desk at 10am and are two hours long. Booking is essential (visit or call Kirstenbosch info desk at +27 (0) 21 799 8783).

Also, every other Wednesday morning, from 10:30am to 11:30am, until December 2013, Room to Grow presents themed talks with entomologists, horticulturists and the Kirstenbosch Wholesale Nursery’s manager in the Lecture Hall. These cover the past, present and future of the garden and include discussions about fynbos, plants and insects and favourite trees. 

Access to the centennial activities is free, but the entrance fee into the garden still applies.

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Discover the living history by exploring some of these Kirstenbosch Gardens hiking trails  or laze on the lawns at some other parks in Cape Town.

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