NLC Programme | Biodiversity Gardens | Khayelitsha
#GROW
Highlighting two of the Cape Floristic Region’s most threatened vegetation types
The Luhlaza High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden is located in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. This school is committed to academic excellence.
Developed as part of BOT SOC’s Protecting and Restoring South Africa’s Natural Heritage project, this biodiversity garden supports youth skills development, environmental education and biodiversity conservation.
The garden highlights two of the Cape Floristic Region’s most threatened vegetation types and provides learners with hands-on opportunities to explore indigenous plants and ecosystems.
THIS PROJECT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY:
Youth skills development and conservation training
Twelve youth participants from the Cape Metropole were trained as part of this project, hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Skills Development
They received classroom-based and hands-on conservation training, developing skills in:
– Conservation horticulture
– Plant identification
– Alien invasive clearing
– Eco-landscaping
– Personal development
The youth also participated in citizen science activities with the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Programme, capturing species observations on iNaturalist.
Their skills were applied during the development of the Luhlaza High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden, where they assisted with planning, preparation and planting.
Why choose Luhlaza High School?
Luhlaza High School is a prominent school in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, known for its commitment to academic excellence and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, with a strong focus on Life Sciences.
The school has:
– A dedicated Eco-Club
– A long-standing relationship with SANBI’s Outreach Greening Programme
These factors made Luhlaza High School an ideal location for an outdoor indigenous classroom.
Learners can:
– See indigenous plants
– Touch and smell plant species
– Engage with educational signage
– Learn about biodiversity
The importance of the area: Cape Flats biodiversity
The garden highlights two of the Cape Flats’ most threatened vegetation types:
– Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
– Cape Flats Dune Strandveld
Thematic garden beds include:
– Cape Flats Sand Fynbos bed showcasing survival strategies of species
– Cape Flats Dune Strandveld bed highlighting species which thrive on lime-rich, marine-derived sands and shell fragments
– Medicinal plant bed highlighting traditional plant uses, especially for healing
Interpretive signage explains:
– Indigenous plants
– Pollinators
– Cape Flats ecology
– Threatened habitats
Plant labels also include:
– Scientific and common names
– Plant characteristics
– Cultural value
– QR codes linking to SANBI’s PlantZAfrica website
Interpretive signage was developed by BOT SOC and designed by Jeanette Erasmus.
Partnerships behind the garden
The Luhlaza High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden was made possible through strong partnerships. Key partners included:
Youth participants trained at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden played a key role in planning and planting the garden.
Tools and resources donated to the garden
To support long-term sustainability, BOT SOC donated gardening equipment and resources to Luhlaza High School.
These included:
Gardening tools | Hosepipe | Maintenance equipment
These tools help ensure the garden can be maintained by the school and Eco-Club.
The role of the
Botanical Society
of South Africa
BOT SOC played a central role in the creation of the Luhlaza High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden – as part of the Protecting and Restoring South Africa’s Natural Heritage project, funded by the National Lotteries Commission.
BOT SOC supported the project by supporting and funding:
– Youth training and skills development
– Garden planning and coordination
– Indigenous plant selection
– Development of educational signage
– Community engagement
– Partnerships coordination
Community stewardship
This garden is a gift to Luhlaza High School and its Eco-Club, who played an important role in its development.
The school community contributed to:
– Garden preparation
– Planting
– Garden establishment
The project aims to inspire continued nature custodianship and environmental learning by caring for the garden into the future.
You can get involved in biodiversity conservation
You don’t need to visit this garden to be part of the movement.
You can get involved by:
– Planting indigenous plants at home or school
– Learning about Cape Flats biodiversity
– Supporting biodiversity gardens in your community
– Encouraging environmental education
– Participating in citizen science platforms like iNaturalist
Gardens like this one help grow the next generation of conservation custodians.
Explore the
garden resources
DOWNLOAD:
Get to know the other biodiversity gardens
Darling Biodiversity Conservation Park
WESTERN CAPE
Elim Biodiversity Conservation Garden
WESTERN CAPE
Kleinmond Lapa Biodiversity Conservation Garden
WESTERN CAPE
Inkcubeko Youth and Science Centre Biodiversity Conservation Garden
WESTERN CAPE
Esselen Park High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
WESTERN CAPE
Wemmershoek Primary School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
WESTERN CAPE
Langa High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Luhlaza High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Spineview Primary School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
SOS Children’s Village Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Sibelius High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Crestway High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Battswood Primary School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Steenberg High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Masiphumelele High School Biodiversity Conservation Garden
CAPE TOWN
Hours
Tuesdays from 08h00 to 16h00. Closed from Wednesday to Monday and public holidays.
Contact Us
We are experiencing intermittent faults with our landlines. If you can't get through on our landline +27 (0) 21 797 2090 , please phone or send a message to our alternate WhatsApp number: +27 (0) 65 922 6163.
Notice
From 1 March 2026, our office located inside Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (through Gate 2) will be open to assist members on Tuesdays only (08:00 – 16:00).
