The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG) has become an integral part of the biodiversity of the Roodepoort/ Krugersdorp area.
From its original name, to the number of bird species it’s home to, let’s take a look at five things you might not have known about the garden:
1. Naming the garden after Walter Sisulu was the garden’s second name change
When the garden opened in 1982, it was originally named Transvaal National Botanical Garden. In 1987, its name was changed to the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden. It was finally named after struggle stalwart, Walter Sisulu in 2004, a year after his death.
2. Initially, the garden wasn’t open to the public
When the garden opened in July 1982, people could only visit it by special arrangement. Five years later, when it was renamed the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden, was it opened to the public for daily visitors.
3. It’s the second youngest SANBI NBG
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is the core driving force behind botanical gardens in South Africa. It currently runs nine botanical gardens nationwide, of which the WSNBG is the second youngest. The youngest is the Hantam National Botanical Garden in the Northern Cape. It was only taken under SANBI’s wing in 2007.
4. There are over 200 bird species
The garden plays host to over 220 different species of birds on its grounds. Perhaps the most well-known of these is the Verreaux’s eagle, most commonly known as the black eagle.
5. There’s a restaurant in the garden
Eagle’s Fare Restaurant is open every day and boasts an à la carte menu, with light lunches and tea. Additionally, there’s a buffet lunch offered at 12noon on Sundays.
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