​​SU staff and students are reminded to use their personnel and student cards to gain free entry to the botanical garden.  Friends accompanying them may also enter free under your card.  Entrance fee of R10 (with a R5 redeemable voucher) is applicable to all visitors who do not have staff, student or Friends-of-the-Garden cards.  The Friends card costs R50 for 365 free admissions per year.

The Botanical Garden recently opened the tropical glasshouse to the public for the first time in years. The tropical glasshouse was originally constructed in the 1920's. The height of the roof has been raised with recent renovations to provide enough space for the bigger tropical plants. Technology has also been cleverly used to ensure that the glasshouse's temperature is kept between 18 and 30 degree Celsius without consuming a large amount of energy. The glasshouse is also currently the only functioning public tropical glasshouse in South Africa. A variety of tropical plants can be found in the glasshouse including jade vine, titan arum, (the biggest flower in the world), vanilla, cacao, cola nut, black pepper, bread fruit, curcuma, henna, panama hat palm, Darwin's orchid to name but a few.

"With rising pressure on various tertiary institutions it has become a necessity to become more self-sustainable and ensure that the Botanical Garden also flourishes into the next century. With the Garden being located so close to the bustling town centre there has also been a growing need to ensure that the Garden stays a peaceful and safe community hub and for this reason it was also decided to start charging a nominal entrance fee in 2017," says Martin Smit, Curator of the Botanical Garden.

Members of the Friends of the Botanical Garden, enrolled SU students and staff with active SU cards will be able to gain free entry. Groups that make prior arrangements, such as school groups, will still be allowed to enter the Botanical Garden free of charge.

Members of the public can become a Friend. Membership cards will be sold in the Botanical Garden's shop. Members will get a set number of visits per year (365) and will be able to let accompanying persons enter for free under their membership. Non-members will need to pay an entrance fee, part of which will be reimbursed for any purchases at the shop or restaurant. Groups that make prior arrangement, such as school groups will still be able to visit for free. Friends will also receive invitations to special events and talks.

• For more information on Friends of the Botanical Garden, liaise with Viola Calitz at tel. 021 808 3054 e-mail [email protected] or visit www.sun.ac.za/gardenfriends