In 2013 Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden celebrated its centenary. A lot of research went into unearthing some of the history of this popular Garden. Click on the links below for a look at the beginnings of Kirstenbosch in 1913 right through to the present day.

  • 1910s – About the site and start of the garden.
  • 1920s – First buildings and growing economic plants.
  • 1930s – Depression years, bell tower, start of education programmes and silver jubilee.
  • 1940s – Tough times post war, visitor numbers increase and Bot Soc offices built.
  • 1950s – Changing of the guard, and changes to the road. Entry fee introduced.
  • 1960s – Golden jubilee celebrated, new parking area and big earth dam built.
  • 1970s – Battle to stop freeway, 10 year plan to improve garden in place.
  • 1980s – Dam enlarged, tearoom burns down, Flora ’83 & ’88.
  • 1990s – A decade of buildings, Sunday concerts & craft markets start.
  • 2000s – NBI becomes SANBI, bad fire, but Garden  makes a profit for first time.
  • 2010s – Kirstenbosch today and centenary.
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