The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme 2027 gives community members a chance to earn daily income while supporting garden maintenance, landscaping and biodiversity protection. With skilled and unskilled placements available across selected sites, this opportunity is ideal for people who are physically fit, practical and ready for outdoor work.
The South African National Biodiversity Institute is inviting submissions for the SANBI EPWP Greening Programme 2027, an Expanded Public Works Programme opportunity focused on greening, conservation and garden maintenance.
The programme offers temporary work experience in activities such as maintaining gardens, removing invasive plants, cleaning pathways, planting trees and supporting environmental protection work.
Both unskilled and skilled positions are available.
Unskilled participants can earn R150 per day, while skilled participants can earn R200 per day.
This is a practical outdoor opportunity for people who want daily income while helping protect South Africa’s biodiversity.
What Is The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme 2027?
The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme 2027 is a temporary work opportunity linked to the Expanded Public Works Programme.
It focuses on garden maintenance, greening, landscaping and conservation support at selected SANBI sites.
Participants will help maintain public green spaces while gaining practical work experience.
The programme is suitable for people who can work outdoors, follow instructions and contribute to environmental protection.
Which Positions Are Available?
The programme offers two placement categories:
- Unskilled positions
- Skilled positions
Unskilled participants will receive:
R150 per day
Skilled participants will receive:
R200 per day
Both categories are expected to run until 31 March 2027.
What Experience Is Needed For Skilled Positions?
Skilled applicants should have practical experience in maintenance, landscaping or conservation-related work.
Relevant experience may include:
- Chainsaw operation
- Brush cutter operation
- Herbicide application
- Painting
- Paving
- Bricklaying
- General maintenance
- Construction work
Applicants with these skills should make them clear on their CV.
For skilled placements, practical experience can strongly improve a submission.
Who Can Be Considered For The Programme?
To be considered, applicants must meet the listed requirements.
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Reside within the local municipality of the garden
- Provide proof of residence
- Be physically fit for outdoor and manual work
- Be willing to work in a team and independently
- Be available for interviews if shortlisted
This programme is best suited to people who can handle physical outdoor work and attend consistently.
What Duties Will Participants Perform?
Participants will support greening, gardening and conservation-related activities.
Duties may include:
- Maintaining gardens and landscapes
- Removing invasive plant species
- Cleaning and maintaining pathways
- Assisting with tree planting
- Supporting conservation activities
- Helping with environmental protection initiatives
These activities help keep public green spaces clean, safe and environmentally valuable.
Where Are The Placements Available?
Placements are available at selected sites across the country.
The listed areas include:
- Gauteng: Pretoria, Roodepoort, Pretoria Zoo
- Limpopo: Thohoyandou, Mphaphuli, Mokopane
- KwaZulu-Natal: Pietermaritzburg
- Mpumalanga: Mbombela, Lowveld
- Free State: Bloemfontein
- Western Cape: Kirstenbosch, Harold Porter, Karoo Desert Gardens
- Northern Cape: Hantam
- Eastern Cape: Kwelera
Applicants should submit for the site linked to their local municipality.
Why Is Proof Of Residence Important?
Proof of residence confirms that an applicant lives within the local municipality of the garden.
This matters because the programme is community-based.
Applicants should make sure their proof of residence is clear, recent and linked to the correct area.
A missing or incorrect proof of residence can weaken a submission before shortlisting begins.
What Documents Are Required?
Applicants must prepare the required documents before submitting.
The required documents include:
- Completed SANBI application form
- Updated CV, maximum 2 pages
- Proof of residence
The CV should be short, clear and focused on relevant practical experience.
For skilled positions, maintenance, landscaping, construction or conservation experience should appear clearly.
How Do You Submit For The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme?
Applicants must complete the SANBI application form and attach all required documents.
Submissions can be sent by email or hand delivered to the relevant garden office.
Email submissions must be sent to:
Applicants must use the correct reference number for their selected location.
Before sending, check that the application form is complete, the CV is no longer than 2 pages and proof of residence is attached.
When Is The Closing Date?
The closing date is:
30 April 2026 at 16:00
Late submissions will not be considered.
Applicants should submit early to avoid last-minute problems.
What Important Notes Should Applicants Know?
Applicants must use the correct reference number for their selected location.
Late submissions will not be accepted.
Preference will be given to:
- Women
- Youth
- Persons with disabilities
Applicants should keep their phones active after submitting in case they are shortlisted for interviews.
How Can Applicants Strengthen Their Submission?
A strong submission should show that the applicant is reliable, physically fit and ready for outdoor work.
Applicants should highlight experience linked to:
- Gardening
- Landscaping
- Cleaning
- Pathway maintenance
- Tree planting
- Construction
- Brush cutting
- Herbicide work
- General maintenance
- Community work
Even informal experience can help if it shows discipline, punctuality and practical ability.
Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Keep your CV short and practical. If you have worked with tools, cleaned public spaces, helped with gardening, maintained pathways or done construction-related work, place that experience near the top. SANBI asks for a maximum 2-page CV, so every line should support your submission.
Why Is This Programme Worth Considering?
The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme gives participants a chance to gain work experience while supporting environmental conservation.
It can help participants build practical skills in garden maintenance, landscaping, invasive plant control and outdoor teamwork.
For people who want community-based work experience, this programme offers a meaningful way to earn daily income while contributing to cleaner and greener public spaces.
Grow Your Career with SETACareers
Access the latest learnerships, internships, bursaries, scholarships, fellowships, apprenticeships, and practical SETA guides designed to help you succeed.
- Learnerships
- Internships
- Apprenticeships
- Bursaries
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Career Advice
- SETA Guides
Final Thoughts
The SANBI EPWP Greening Programme 2027 offers skilled and unskilled EPWP-linked opportunities at selected sites across South Africa.
Participants can earn R150 per day for unskilled placements or R200 per day for skilled placements, with contracts running until 31 March 2027.
Applicants must prepare a completed SANBI application form, an updated CV of no more than 2 pages and proof of residence.
Submissions must be emailed to epwp@sanbi.org.za or hand delivered to the relevant garden office before 30 April 2026 at 16:00.
