Our Governance Structure
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
| Dr Mmaphaka Tau (Chairperson) |  |
| Prof. Edward Nesamvuni |  |
| Ms Bulelwa Koyana |  |
| Mr Eugene V. Jooste |  |
| Ms Sharmala Naidoo | |
| Dr Ayanda Ntanda |  |
| Dr Andrew K. Muir |  |
| Adv. Candice Kirsty Slump |  |
| Mr Shonisani Munzhedzi (Chief Executive Officer) |  |
| Ms Mukondi Precious Matshusa (DFFE representative) | |
| 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 2025 for a three-year term ending on 30 September 2028, 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.
Board Sub-Committees:
Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RD&I)
- Chairperson: Prof. Edward Nesamvuni
- Ms Mukondi Matshusa
- Dr. Andrew Muir
- Mr Eugene V. Jooste
- Ms Sharmala Naidoo
- Adv. Candice Slump
Human Resources and Remuneration Committee (HR and REMCO)
- Chairperson: Ms Bulelwa Koyana
- Ms Ayanda Ntanda
- Adv. Candice Slump
- Prof. Edward Nesamvuni
Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
- Chairperson: Mr Eugene V. Jooste
- Ms Ayanda Ntanda
- Ms Bulelwa Koyana
- Adv. Candice Slump
Members of the Executive Committee (EXCO)
- Shonisani Munzhedzi – CEO (Chairperson)
- Elliot Mashile – Executive Manager: Operations
- Theressa Frantz – Executive Manager: Biodiversity Research, Science and Policy Advice
- Maphefo Sedite – Chief Financial Officer
- Ramagwai Sebola – General Manager: Foundational Biodiversity Science
- Christopher Willis – General Manager: National Botanical Gardens
- Maano Netshiombo – General Manager: Human Resources
- Mahlodi Tau – General Manager: Biodiversity Information and Policy Advice
- Mandy Barnett – General Manager: Adaptation Policy and Resourcing
- Leslie Mudimeli – General Manager: National Zoological Garden
- Tsepang Makholela – General Manager: Biodiversity Research, Assessment and Monitoring
- Nontsikelelo Mpulo – Senior Manager: Marketing, Communications and Commercialisation
- Lebogang Ralepeli – Company Secretary
Members of the Management Committee (MANCO)
- Jacob Kutu – Senior Manager: Strategic Coordination and Oversight (Chairperson)
- Theresa Sethusa – Senior Manager: Foundational Research and Services (Deputy Chairperson)
- Nontsikelelo Mpulo – Senior Manager: Marketing, Communications and Commercialisation
- Farai Tererai – Senior Manager: Biodiversity Assessment
- Phetole Manyama – Senior Manager: Biodiversity Evidence
- Vivian Malema – Senior Manager: Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement – NBGs
- Vusumuzi Mncwango – Senior Manager: Strategy and Organisational Development
- Lebogang Ralepeli – Company Secretary
- Pearl Gola – Senior Manager: Biodiversity Mainstreaming
- Vacant – Senior Manager: South African Research Infrastructure Projects
- Thompson Mutshinyalo – Senior Manager: National Botanical Gardens (NBGs)
- Tracy Rehse – Senior Manager: Conservation and Animal Collections
- Thelma Manungufala – Senior Manager: Financial Management and Reporting
- Kgabo Moloto – Senior Manager: Supply Chain and Asset Management
- Nondumiso Magija – Senior Garden Manager: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
- Portia Mpolaise – Senior Manager: Governance, Risk and Compliance
- Nokulunga Nxumalo – Senior Manager: Biodiversity Education and Public Engagement (NZG)
- Yashica Singh – Acting Director: Collections and Innovation
- Vincent Moerane – Senior Manager: Information Security, Governance and Risk
- Matsobane Maite – Senior Manager: National Infrastructure Programme
- Matsedi Albert Segale – Senior Manager: NZG Technical Services
- Ntsoaki Ngwenya – Senior Manager: Legal Services
- Michael (Mike) Jennings – Senior Manager: Strategic Grant and Operations Management
- Funanani Muremi – Senior Manager: Climate Change Adaptation
- Erich Van Wyk – Senior Manager: Collections Management
Please see our contacts page for further information and PAIA and Fraud reporting links.