Annerie Senekal Becomes First Woman Curator of SUBG

Annerie Senekal has been appointed curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden (SUBG), making history as the first woman to lead the garden since its establishment. She was appointed the acting curator when Dr. Donovan Kirkwood passed away in 2025 and took office on July 1, 2026.

The appointment of the new director represents a huge breakthrough for one of South Africa's oldest university botanical gardens, known for its conservation initiatives, research, education and outreach. While in the position of acting curator, she oversaw day-to-day operations of the garden and remained the assistant curator.

Her duties were to maintain the vast amount of plants in the garden, to support staff, and to make sure that visitors enjoyed one of the most prominent public facilities of Stellenbosch University.

Key Highlights:

• First woman to lead Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
• Rose from intern to curator in six years
• Will advance plant conservation, research, and education

"Beyond losing a respected leader, I lost a mentor who played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for plant conservation and understanding of the important role botanical gardens play in conservation and society," she said.

Annerie brings years of experience from Thabazimbi in Limpopo, where she spent her childhood in love with nature. She had studied music, but also had an interest in the natural sciences. She joined Stellenbosch University and obtained a BSc degree in Biodiversity and Ecology. She became fascinated with botany as an undergraduate student and this inspired her career.

"It is a privilege to join the line of curators who have shaped this historic garden. I have been passionate about the work of SUBG for many years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help build on that legacy and continue growing its impact," she said.

In 2020, Annerie was interning at the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, where she acquired hands-on experience in plant conservation, horticulture and in the management of a botanical garden. Due to her dedication and expertise, she was appointed to be assistant curator in 2023 and contributed significantly to various conservation and educational initiatives.

Her achievements included the creation of a threatened habitat display, forming satellite plant collections to enhance conservation and building up the garden's botanical art collection of threatened plant species. These projects have contributed to the overall efforts in ensuring that the garden continues to play a significant role in the conservation of South African's wide range of plant life and in raising awareness of the public about endangered species.

Annerie explained that her appointment as curator was the result of a five-year process from when she interned at the garden six years ago. She thanked the opportunity to lead an institution that has had such an impact on her career and said she would continue to serve in that role with a dedication to the advancement of conservation, research, and education goals.

Founded in 1922, the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa. It not only contains rare as well as exotic plant species, but it also acts as a focal point for scientific research, conservation, instruction and community outreach. The appointment of Senekal is likely to continue the long tradition of the garden and start a new chapter as the first female curator.