About Us
SAplants, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Drosanthemum hispidum (pink flowers)
SAplants, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Greyia flanaganii
History
The Botanical Education Trust was founded in 2009 by Charles and Julia Botha, passionate conservationists and advocates for South Africa’s indigenous flora. The Trust was established using proceeds from their prize winning books, which focus on environmentally friendly gardening and the conservation of South Africa’s natural heritage.
Bring Butterflies Back to Your Garden
A step-by-step guide to creating butterfly-friendly gardens with over 500 indigenous plant recommendations.
Publication: January 2006
ISBN: 9780620366656
Bring Nature Back to Your Garden (Eastern & Northern Edition)
A comprehensive guide encouraging gardeners to plant indigenous vegetation to attract wildlife and restore natural ecosystems.
Publication: November 2010
ISBN: 9780620482288
Bring Nature Back to Your Garden (Western Edition)
A comprehensive guide encouraging gardeners to plant indigenous vegetation to attract wildlife and restore natural ecosystems. Tailored for gardeners west of Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, and Mafikeng.
Publication: January 2000
ISBN: 1874975078
Buyisela Imvelo Engadini (isiZulu Edition)
This translation of the much acclaimed first edition of Bring Nature Back to your Garden is not only useful to gardeners, but also to isiZulu speaking conservationists and those with an interest in natural sciences.
Publication: January 2003
ISBN: 1874975086
SAplants, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Barleria greenii
Their shared love for nature and commitment to conservation drove them to create the Botanical Education Trust as a platform to fund education and research on indigenous South African flora. Their efforts aim to inspire people to preserve the country’s rich biodiversity and contribute to conservation efforts right from their own gardens.
Since its inception, the Trust has received donations from many generous individuals and organisations. This has allowed it to support numerous projects including taxonomic studies and research on threatened species as well as educational initiatives. It will continue to play a vital role in safeguarding South Africa’s botanical heritage for years to come.
Both Charles and Julia bring extensive experience and dedication to the Trust. Their work has been recognised with various awards, including the President’s Special Award from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) in 2003.
How the Trust Operates
The Botanical Education Trust is fully registered as a Trust and is audited annually. In addition it has been approved as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) and has been granted, by SARS, exemption from donations tax and estate duty. This includes a Section 18A exemption certificate which permits any donor to treat donations to the Trust as a tax deductible expense. All donations to the Trust, regardless of size, are capitalised and judiciously invested, with only the income earned used to fund its conservation objectives in perpetuity.
The Botanical Education Trust is a Registered Trust, No IT1013/2007/PMB, and a registered PBO, No 930026003. Donations are Section 18A tax refundable. The Trust is supported by the KZN Coastal Branch of the Botanical Society of South Africa. Audited financial statements and the Trust Deed are available on request.
SAplants, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Lycium amoenum
Trustees
All Trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration.
C.R. Botha
Chairperson
Charles Botha is a semi-retired businessman, past chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Region of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and a life member of both this organisation and the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc). He is a member of the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa and has been a member of BirdLife South Africa for over 40 years.
Prof J.H. Botha
Secretary
Prof Julia Botha lectured pharmacology to medical students for over 35 years, while also supervising postgraduate students. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific papers, many popular articles and a pharmacology book entitled Master the Mystery of Medicines. Now an Emeritus Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Prof Botha is also a past chairperson of the University’s Environmental Committee and a past secretary of the Natal Bird Club (now BirdLife eThekwini KZN).
C. Reid
Treasurer
Charles Reid qualified as a chartered accountant in 1981 and is the Managing Partner of Moore Durban and Chairman of Moore South Africa. He is also Chairman of the Moore Africa Regional Council and currently a Board member of Moore Global. He has served on both The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) National and Regional Committees and also served two terms as Vice Chairman of the Public Accountants and Auditors Board. His extensive experience includes serving as Trustee for a number of high net-worth families.
Prof G.V. Goodman-Cron
Trustee
Prof Glynis Goodman-Cron is an Honorary Professor in the School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand. A plant systematist, with interests in biodiversity, speciation, biogeography and plant reproductive ecology, she lectured to undergraduate and postgraduate students for 35 years and served as curator of the C.E. Moss Herbarium (2023–2024). Prof Goodman-Cron has authored and co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, has contributed to chapters in books and graduated 48 postgraduate students. Among her various awards, she received the SAAB Bronze Medal for her PhD thesis in 2005.
Prof S.D. Johnson
Trustee
Prof Steven Johnson conducts research on the ecology, evolution and chemistry of plant-animal interactions. He is currently the Director of the Centre for Functional Biodiversity at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and held the DSI-NRF South African Research Chair in Evolutionary Biology from 2007 until 2022. He has authored 390 peer-reviewed scientific papers and four books and has served on the Editorial Boards of several international scientific journals. He has supervised 24 MSc and 20 PhD students. Awards received include the NRF President’s Award and the South African Association of Botanists Gold Medal.
Prof A.E. van Wyk
Trustee
Prof Braam van Wyk is an Emeritus Professor of botany in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria having served as a lecturer in plant taxonomy and curator of the H.G.W.J. Schweickerdt Herbarium from 1977 to 2017. He has authored and co-authored over 460 publications, including 16 books, and has supervised 31 MSc and 28 PhD students. His widely-used botanical field guides are accessible to both students and plant enthusiasts. Prof Van Wyk has received numerous honours, including The South African Gold Medal for Botany which recognises his outstanding contributions to botanical research in South Africa.
Dr W.R. Woodenberg
Trustee
Dr Wynston Woodenberg is a scientist at the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium in Durban. With a background of postgraduate studies in seed biology, physiology and microscopy, he is currently doing plant taxonomic research and has authored 21 scientific outputs to date including peer-reviewed papers and presentations at both national and international conferences.