The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is offering employment opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Greening Programme across multiple National Botanical Gardens and conservation sites in South Africa. These opportunities are available to both skilled and unskilled participants interested in supporting environmental maintenance, garden development, and biodiversity conservation initiatives within their local municipalities.
The Greening Programme provides short-term employment aimed at promoting sustainable environmental management while creating income opportunities for communities located near SANBI-managed gardens. Selected participants will contribute to maintaining botanical gardens, protecting indigenous plant species, supporting landscape improvement activities, and assisting with general conservation-related tasks aligned with national environmental priorities.
Unskilled Positions
- Position: Unskilled Participants
- Duration: Fixed-term contract ending 31 March 2027
- Remuneration: R150 per day
Skilled Positions
- Position: Skilled Participants
- Duration: Fixed-term contract ending 31 March 2027
- Remuneration: R200 per day
These positions are offered on a fixed-term contract basis ending on 31 March 2027, with daily stipends provided according to the level of experience required. The programme forms part of government efforts under the Expanded Public Works Programme to enhance community participation in environmental protection while strengthening skills development and work readiness among unemployed South African citizens.
Applications are open to individuals residing within the local municipalities where the gardens are located, with preference given to women, youth, and persons living with disabilities. Participation in the programme provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in environmental support services while contributing to the preservation and maintenance of South Africa’s natural heritage sites managed by SANBI.
Unskilled Positions
- Remuneration: R150 per day
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term contract ending 31 March 2027
- Closing Date: 30 April 2026
- Closing Time: 16:00
Limpopo
- Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/TNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 32
- Mphaphuli Cycad Nature Reserve
- Reference: FGP/MCNR/2026
- Posts Available: 21
- Mokopane BCC (NZG)
- Reference: FGP/MBCC/2026
- Posts Available: 25
Gauteng
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/PNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 32
- Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Roodepoort)
- Reference: FGP/WSNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 30
- National Zoological Garden (Pretoria)
- Reference: FGP/NZG/2026
- Posts Available: 30
KwaZulu-Natal
- KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden (Pietermaritzburg)
- Reference: FGP/KZNNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 32
Mpumalanga
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden (Mbombela)
- Reference: FGP/LNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 25
Free State
- Free State National Botanical Garden (Bloemfontein)
- Reference: FGP/FSNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 25
Western Cape
- Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/HPNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 17
- Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KDNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 16
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 25
Northern Cape
- Hantam National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/HNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 17
Eastern Cape
- Kwelera National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KwNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 15
Skilled Positions
- Remuneration: R200 per day
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term contract ending 31 March 2027
- Closing Date: 30 April 2026
- Closing Time: 16:00
Limpopo
- Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/TNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 5
- Mphaphuli Cycad Nature Reserve
- Reference: FGP/MCNR/2026
- Posts Available: 4
- Mokopane BCC (NZG)
- Reference: FGP/MBCC/2026
- Posts Available: 4
Gauteng
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/PNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 5
- Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (Roodepoort)
- Reference: FGP/WSNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 7
- National Zoological Garden (Pretoria)
- Reference: FGP/NZG/2026
- Posts Available: 7
KwaZulu-Natal
- KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden (Pietermaritzburg)
- Reference: FGP/KZNNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 5
Mpumalanga
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden (Mbombela)
- Reference: FGP/LNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 4
Free State
- Free State National Botanical Garden (Bloemfontein)
- Reference: FGP/FSNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 4
Western Cape
- Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/HPNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 3
- Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KDNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 4
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 7
Northern Cape
- Hantam National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/HNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 3
Eastern Cape
- Kwelera National Botanical Garden
- Reference: FGP/KwNBG/2026
- Posts Available: 3
Closing Date
- Applications must be submitted on or before 30 April 2026
- Closing time: 16:00
- Late applications may not be considered
Minimum Requirements
Applicants interested in participating in the SANBI Greening Programme must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be South African citizens
- Applicants must reside within the local municipality where the National Botanical Garden or conservation site is located
- Proof of residence must be submitted with the application (acceptable documents include a letter from the ward committee, a letter from the traditional authority, or a municipal utility bill)
- Applicants must be physically and medically fit to perform manual labour tasks associated with environmental maintenance work
- Applicants must be willing to work independently as well as part of a team
- Applicants must be prepared to perform outdoor duties in varying environmental conditions
- Applicants must be available to attend selection interviews on dates and times determined by SANBI if shortlisted
- Applicants applying for skilled positions should have experience in tasks such as chain saw operation, brush cutter operation, herbicide application, paving, painting, bricklaying, or related construction and maintenance work
- Applicants applying for unskilled positions must be willing to perform general maintenance duties including cleaning, weeding, invasive plant removal, and pathway maintenance
- Applicants must be willing to participate in work aligned with Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) objectives
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted using the official SANBI application form, obtainable from the relevant National Botanical Garden offices. The completed application form must be accompanied by a two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) and proof of residence confirming residency within the local municipality where the position is located.
Applications may be submitted via email to [email protected] or delivered by hand or post to the relevant Application Delivery Address below, depending on the position reference number:
- Pretoria National Botanical Garden
2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Pretoria - Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
End of Malcolm Road, Poortview, Roodepoort - KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden
2 Swartkops Road, Prestbury, Pietermaritzburg - Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden Entrance Road (Off Madiba Drive), Riversider, Mbombela - Free State National Botanical Garden
Rayton Road, Off Dan Pienaar Drive, R702, Bloemfontein - Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
451 Garden Route, Thohoyandou Unit D, 0950 - Mphaphuli Cycad Nature Reserve (via Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden)
451 Garden Route, Thohoyandou Unit D, 0950 - National Zoological Garden
232 Boom Street, Pretoria - Mokopane BCC (NZG)
Thabo Mbeki Drive, Mokopane, Limpopo - Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
Cnr Clarence Drive & Broadwith Road, Betty’s Bay - Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
Roux Road, Panorama, Worcester, 6849 - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, 7735 - Hantam National Botanical Garden
Oorlogskloof Road, Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape - Kwelera National Botanical Garden
Kwelera Road, East London, 5259
The correct reference number must be clearly indicated on the application form. Failure to submit the required documentation may result in the application not being considered.
Applications must be submitted before the closing date: 30 April 2026 at 16:00.
Important Notes
The Greening Programme forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and aims to promote employment opportunities within local communities surrounding SANBI-managed gardens and conservation areas.
Preference will be given to:
- Women
- Youth
- Persons living with disabilities
SANBI reserves the right not to fill advertised positions.
Personal information submitted during the recruitment process will be processed strictly for purposes related to assessing suitability for employment within the programme.
Submitted information may be shared with authorised verification service providers for:
- Qualification verification
- Background screening
- Reference checks
- Competency assessment testing
- Criminal record checks
- Verification of supporting documentation
By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge and consent to the processing and verification of personal information by SANBI and its authorised agents within and outside the Republic of South Africa where necessary.
Shortlisted applicants will be notified of interview arrangements.
If no response has been received within 30 days after the closing date, the application should be regarded as unsuccessful.
