SANBI’s structure is a reflection of the Institute’s responsibilities as outlined in the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), 2004. The key indicator of this is SANBI’s high-level Organogram. The organogram mirrors SANBI’s mandated functions through six programmes.
Download the SANBI Organogram
Board Members
Mrs Beryl Ferguson (Deputy Chairperson)
Prof. Edward Nesamvuni (Chairperson)
Mr Paul Daphne
Dr. Reginald Legoabe
Dr. Mmaphaka Tau
Ms Skumsa Ntshanga, DFFE Representative
Mr Leluma Matooane, DST Representative
National Zoological Garden Executive Director: Mr Leslie Mudimeli
Company Secretary: Ms. Lebogang Ralepeli
The SANBI Board is a statutory body appointed by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) as prescribed in NEMBA and reports to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. This is the sixth Board appointed on 01 October 2021 for a three-year term ending on 30 September 2024, under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 109 of 2004 (NEMBA).
Composition of the Board
The Board is subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations and other relevant laws of the Republic of South Africa. The Board also strives to ensure good corporate governance practice within SANBI and it has adopted relevant sections of the King Report, which have been incorporated into its Board Manual/Terms of Reference.
Composition of the Board
The Board is subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Treasury Regulations and other relevant laws of the Republic of South Africa. The Board also strives to ensure good corporate governance practice within SANBI and it has adopted relevant sections of the King Report, which have been incorporated into its Board Manual/Terms of Reference.
Board Sub-Committees:
Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
- Dr Lesley Luthuli (Chair)
- Dr Mmaphaka Tau
- Dr Reginald Legoabe
- Dr Pulane Molokwane
Expert Members
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee (HR & REMCO)
- Dr Pulane Molokwane (Chair)
- Dr Reginald Legoabe
- Prof. Edward Nesamvuni
Research, Development & Innovation Committee (RD&I)
- Prof. Edward Nesamvuni (Chair)
- Mr Paul Daphne
- Dr Lesley Luthuli
- Dr Mmaphaka Tau
- Ms Skumsa Ntshanga (DFFE)
- Mr Leluma Matooane (DST)
Expert Members
Members of the Executive Committee (EXCO)
- Shonisani Munzhedzi – CEO (Chairperson)
- Elliot Mashile – Chief Operations Officer
- Carmel Mbizvo – Head of Branch: Biodiversity Science and Policy Advice
- Maphefo Sedite – Chief Financial Officer
- Ramagwai Sebola – Chief Director: Foundational Biodiversity Science
- Christopher Willis – Chief Director: National Botanical Gardens
- Maano Netshiombo – Chief Director: Human Resources
- Mahlodi Tau – Chief Director: Policy Advice and Information Management
- Mandy Barnett – Chief Director: Adaptation Policy and Resourcing
- Leslie Mudimeli – Executive Director: National Zoological Garden
- Theressa Frantz – Chief Director: Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring
- Nontsikelelo Mpulo – Director: Marketing, Communications and Commercialisation
- Farai Tererai – Director: Biodiversity Assessment (MANCO)
- Lebogang Ralepeli – Company Secretary
Members of the Management Committee (MANCO)
- Farai Tererai – Director: Biodiversity Assessment (Chairperson)
- Nontsikelelo Mpulo – Director: Marketing, Communications and Commercialisation (Deputy Chairperson)
- Director: Biodiversity Information Management and Planning
- Director: Biodiversity Mainstreaming
- Phetole Manyama – Director: Biodiversity Evidence
- Vivian Malema – Director: Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement – NBGs
- Antoinette Kotze – Director: Foundational Research and Services
- Vusumuzi Mncwango – Director: Strategy and Organisational Development
- Lebogang Ralepeli – Company Secretary
- Azisa Parker – Director: Green Climate Fund Programming
- Michelle Hamer – Director: South African Research Infrastructure Projects
- Thompson Mutshinyalo – Director: National Botanical Gardens (NBGs)
- Tracy Rehse – Director: Conservation and Animal Collections
- Alan Smith – Director: Financial Management and Reporting
- Kgabo Moloto – Director: Supply Chain and Asset Management
- Werner Voigt – Curator: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Jenifer Zungu – Project leader: Ecological Infrastructure for Water Security
- Portia Mpolaise – Director: Governance, Compliance, Risk and Legal Services
- (Vacant) – Director: Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement (NZG)
- Eric van Wyk – Acting Director: Collections and Innovation
- Nkhensane Mathye – Director: Employee Relations, Wellness, Health and Safety
- Farai Tererai – Director: Biodiversity Assessment
- Yashica Singh – Acting Director: Collections and Innovation
- Jacob Kutu – Director: Strategic Coordination and Oversight
- Vincent Moerane – Director: Information Security, Governance and Risk
- Matsobane Maite – Director: National Infrastructure Programme
- Matsedi Albert Segale – Director: NZG Technical Services
