Free State National Botanical Garden
Location: Bloemfontein, Free State
Description: Located on the outskirts of the city among rocky hills, this garden preserves grassland and woodland plants typical of the central interior. It also serves as a habitat for birds and small mammals.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/free-state/
Hantam National Botanical Garden
Location: Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape
Description: Covering thousands of hectares on the Bokkeveld Plateau, this garden protects renosterveld and succulent Karoo vegetation. It is famous for its spectacular spring wildflower blooms and extensive walking trails.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/hantam/
Harold Porter National Botanical Garden
Location: Betty's Bay, Western Cape
Description: Situated within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, this garden spans from mountains to the coastline. It highlights the extraordinary diversity of the Cape fynbos biome and includes hiking trails, waterfalls, and natural vegetation areas.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/harold-porter/
Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
Location: Worcester, Western Cape
Description: This garden focuses on desert and semi-desert plants, especially succulents from the Karoo region. It demonstrates how plants adapt to dry climates and features seasonal wildflower displays after winter rains.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/karoo-desert/
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Description: Located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this garden showcases South Africa's indigenous flora, particularly fynbos species. It combines landscaped gardens with natural mountain vegetation and is widely regarded as one of the world's most beautiful botanical gardens.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch/
KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden
Location: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
Description: One of South Africa's oldest botanical gardens, featuring plants native to the eastern regions of the country. Its collections include cycads, orchids, and coastal forest species.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kwazulu-natal/
Kwelera National Botanical Garden
Location: East London, Eastern Cape
Description: A developing national botanical garden along the Wild Coast that aims to protect coastal forest and dune vegetation while showcasing plant diversity from the Eastern Cape region.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/kwelera/
Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Location: Nelspruit (Mbombela), Mpumalanga
Description: Positioned where two rivers meet, this garden highlights plants from South Africa's eastern lowveld. Dramatic cliffs, riverine forest, and cycads make it one of the most scenic gardens in the network.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/lowveld/
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Location: Pretoria (Tshwane), Gauteng
Description: A large urban botanical garden built around a natural rocky ridge. It features themed plant collections, including a well-known cycad garden, and also hosts the headquarters of SANBI.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/pretoria/
Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden
Location: Thohoyandou, Limpopo
Description: The newest national botanical garden, focusing on plants from the Soutpansberg region. It protects endemic species and combines natural bushveld vegetation with curated plant collections.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/thohoyandou/
Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Location: Roodepoort (Johannesburg area), Gauteng
Description: Known for its dramatic waterfall and surrounding grassland vegetation, this garden blends natural landscape with cultivated plant collections and is a popular recreation area near Johannesburg.
More information: www.sanbi.org/gardens/walter-sisulu/
Questions after the interview:
At the end of an interview there is usually an opportunity where you can ask any questions you might have. This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position as well as the company. It is a good idea to prepare a few questions before the interview – this can be done while you are doing research on the company.
Your questions should show the interviewer that you are a good candidate for the position. Try and avoid questions that are based on your personal needs and preferences, for instance:
- How much leave will I get in a year?
- Will I be considered for promotion in my first year?
- When will I get an increase?
- What time can I leave in the afternoon?
These questions are inappropriate at this stage and will probably raise concerns on the side of the interviewer. Should you be the successful candidate then all these questions will be answered in your letter of appointment so don’t waste this opportunity by asking these basic questions.
If the position is an entry level job or very junior then you are welcome to ask questions in line with the position, for instance:
- Why did the previous person leave the position?
- What would the successful person be tasked to do in a typical day?
- How does this position fit into the department and / or company?
- Could you explain the company structure to me?
- Is there any further education assistance or support?
If the position is more senior then you can prepare question around the following themes:
- current issues that will face the successful candidate;
- inter-personal challenges in the department;
- any process, technology or people challenges that needs to be attended to urgently;
- key result areas that need urgent attention in the first few months;
The above information should get you started. Prepare a few questions so that you can show your worth. Good luck with your interview!
