The future of one of South Africa’s most treasured botanical gardens, Kirstenbosch, is under scrutiny following alarming claims from environmentalist James Deacon, who has alleged that the garden is progressing through a phase of decay and neglect, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Deacon, a long-time supporter of the garden with nearly two decades of involvement, expressed his deep disillusionment with the current state of affairs in a heartfelt Facebook post.
In his post, which has sparked considerable debate, Deacon lamented the decline of Kirstenbosch, stating that it has transformed from a place of joy to one of ‘pain and sadness,’
He accused the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages the garden, of poor financial management and neglect, claiming that the esteemed plant collections, notably the Protea and Erica, are withering away due to a lack of resources and expertise.
He cited specific instances of decay, including the disappearance of certain plant species and diminished staff morale, which he argues shows a significant breakdown of the institution’s operational capacity.
‘Great plantsmen and women like Ernst van Jaarsveld and Monique McQuillan left long before they should have because working here had become so unpleasant,’ Deacon warned.
He also raised concerns about the inability to procure essential supplies and the management’s insensitivity to these issues, stating, ‘When they tried to order pots, the response they got was, ‘What were they cooking?’
In an attempt to address Deacon’s public revelations, SANBI has categorically rejected his claims, stating that they are grounded in inaccuracies and that many concerns had already been discussed and resolved in a meeting earlier this year.
Following his engagement with the management team at Kirstenbosch, SANBI stated, ‘We considered the matter resolved as per the discussion,’ countering Deacon’s assertions that conditions are deteriorating.
SANBI maintained that it remains committed to preserving Kirstenbosch as a world-class botanical garden and has encouraged visitors to experience the gardens firsthand to form their own opinions.
They also invited concerned citizens to raise issues directly with management, emphasizing their dedication to transparency and accountability.
The controversy has caught the attention of political leaders, with GOOD party National Chairperson Matthew Cook highlighting the implications of Deacon’s claims.
Cook decried what he termed a ‘national disgrace,’ insisting that if Deacon’s allegations hold any truth, the repercussions go beyond administrative failures and signal a systematic failure to maintain South Africa’s rich biological heritage.
He called for an urgent review of the management practices at Kirstenbosch, a site he described as a living archive of the country’s biodiversity.
The Democratic Alliance, which governs the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has also been implicated in this growing narrative.
Cook pointedly questioned the efficacy of governance under the DA’s leadership, particularly in ensuring the preservation of sites essential to South Africa’s ecological identity.
The Democratic Alliance had not publicly commented on the matter.
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Picture: Shaun Roy / Gallo Images
