Kirstenbosch Garden faces challenges amid climate change and staffing pressures

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has long been celebrated as the jewel in Cape Town’s crown, showcasing South Africa’s rich botanical heritage. 

Yet recently, a growing number of visitors have expressed concern that this cherished garden is no longer at its best. 

What was once a pristine tourist attraction now shows signs of neglect, labels marking long-dead plants, and dominant species have been allowed to overwhelm weaker varieties. 

The succulent house, a popular attraction, has suffered too, with many older plants having been left untended, and the glass barriers meant to protect the displays are broken or missing.

The curator of Kirstenbosch, Werner Voigt, openly acknowledged the issue in a recent interview with John Maytham on CapeTalk. Without making excuses, Voigt attributed the current state of the garden to the combined effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and staffing shortages.

He reassured listeners that steps were being taken to restore the garden to its former glory. 

“Whilst I agree that the standard, just in terms of maintenance, hasn’t been up to the standard that people have gotten used to, that has changed in the last three months or so,” Voigt said. 

He added that this period of adversity was being treated as a learning opportunity for the team and promised a noticeable improvement by the end of August or September.

Visitor Mark Reid summed up the sentiment to Maytham: “As I walked through all Kirstenbosch, this is not a seasonal thing - it’s a systemic die-off of what was once the greatest botanical garden people could wish to see and it's an absolute tragedy.”

This is also the sixth consecutive year, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden did not exhibit at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), which manages the iconic garden, confirmed that its decision to step away from the world-renowned event was made in 2019 and remains in place.

Kirstenbosch has long held a special place in the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Its recovery will be watched closely by all those who treasure it, hopeful that this national landmark can return to its rightful place as one of the world’s great botanical spaces.

IOL Travel