DR ANTHONY RICHARD MAGEE
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch
Anthony Magee is a senior plant taxonomist at the Compton Herbarium of the South African National Biodiversity Institute. He is also an Honorary Research Associate of the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg and a member of the editorial board for the South African Journal of Botany. He obtained his PhD from the University of Johannesburg in 2009 for his research on the systematics of African Apiaceae, for which he was awarded the 2011 Junior Medal for Botany from the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB). He is the author of 29 scientific papers and several popular articles, and has presented his research findings at both national and international conferences. His research focuses on improving the classification and our understanding of the early, largely African, lineages of Apiaceae and Asteraceae, as well as the floristics, origins and diversification of the Nama Karoo flora. To date his research has resulted in the discovery and description of 19 new species, four new genera and five new tribes.
PROF MICHELLE VAN DER BANK
African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB), University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Michelle van der Bank holds a permanent position as Head of the African Centre for DNA Barcoding at the University of Johannesburg. The primary goal of The African Centre for DNA Barcoding (http://www.acdb.co.za) is to find solutions to problems threatening earth’s biodiversity, especially in Africa. She is also an Associated Professor in the department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology at the University of Johannesburg where she is involved in under and postgraduate teaching and several capacity building projects in Africa. She is the co-chair of the African regional working group of TreeBOL focussing mainly on the barcoding of trees of Africa. Her research amounted to 46 ISI-listed publications (H-index = 14; Sum of the times cited: 2037) with contributions in Nature, PLoS Biology, and PNAS. Thirteen masters and three PhD students finished their studies under her supervision. She is currently supervising six MSc students, five PhD students, and two postdoctoral fellows.
DR STEPHEN BOATWRIGHT
University of the Western Cape (UWC)
Stephen Boatwright completed his Ph.D. (Botany) in 2009 at the University of Johannesburg on the taxonomy and systematic of the tribe Crotalarieae (Fabaceae). He is currently a lecturer at the University of the Western Cape in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. His research interests include the taxonomy and systematics of legumes (Fabaceae) and selected genera of the Asphodelaceae and Hemerocallidaceae. This work has resulted in the description of several new genera and species. He is also studying the flora, origin and diversification of the Nama-Karoo and has an interest in the identification and barcoding of invasive plants. He is author or co-author of 26 scientific papers published in peer-reviewed, ISI accredited journals, several popular articles and three book chapters. He has also presented his research at various national and international conferences. He serves as a reviewer for various journals and as Review Board Editor for the South African Journal of Botany since 2011.
DR JOHN MANNING
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch
John Manning is a botanist at the SA National Biodiversity Institute in Cape Town and is a world authority on the Iris and Hyacinth families. His diverse research interests include the evolution and pollination biology of South African plants. Dr Manning has written or co-authored over 150 popular and scientific papers and is a regular contributor to a variety of natural history magazines. He has a particular interest in popularising southern Africa’s wild flowers and has become widely recognised as an illustrator and flower photographer. He is the author of several southern African wild flower guides, mostly illustrated with his photographs. He is also co-author of several significant works on South Africa flora, including Gladiolus in southern Africa (1998), Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape flora of South Africa (2000), the Color Encyclopedia of Cape Bulbs (2002), and Southern African Wild Flowers: jewels of the veld (2004). His awards include the Botanical Society of South Africa Marloth Medal (2005) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal Convocation Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science, Industry and Technology (2006). He trained at the University of Natal (Pietermaritzburg) and has worked at the SA Biodiversity Institute since 1998.
DR MARIANNE LE ROUX
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria
Marianne le Roux completed her PhD (Botany) in 2012 at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She accepted a Post-doctoral Fellowship at UJ in January 2012 and was appointed as research associate in July 2012, where she taught both the third year undergraduate and Honours postgraduate courses in Plant Taxonomy for the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology (UJ). Most recently she served as secretary for the 6th International Legume Conference held in Johannesburg during January 2013. Marianne is currently appointed as the E-Flora Coordinator, based at the National Herbarium in Pretoria, where she will collect and document information of all known plant species in southern Africa which will be published in an online flora. Her research interests include taxonomy related to the E-Flora of southern Africa project as well as the taxonomy and systematics of the economically important family Fabaceae (legumes), particularly focused on the large cosmopolitan genus Crotalaria. She has published six papers in ISI accredited, peer-reviewed journals and has also presented her research both nationally and internationally.
DR KOWIYOU YESSOUFOU
African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB), University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Kowiyou Yessoufou has completed his BSc and MSc in plant ecology at the University of Abomey-Calavi in Benin. After his master’s studies he has worked for the Ministry of Environment in Benin as the Minister assistant, and for several Non-Governmental organisations implementing conservation management plans for biodiversity and traditional medicinal knowledge. In 2008, he registered at the University of Johannesburg for his PhD entitled ‘Phylogenetic analysis of plant community assemblages in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.’ He is currently employed at the University of Johannesburg as a Post-doctoral Fellow. His research interests include molecular ecology, climatic change and invasion biology.
MS LYN FISH
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria
Lyn Fish was responsible for the Poaceae (grass family) at the National Herbarium from 1977 till her retirement in 2011. She is very interested in collecting and although concentrated on the grasses also collected other families. To date the total number collected stands at 12233. This interest resulted in a small handbook
'Preparing herbarium specimens'. An interest in herbarium management led to being a co-author in
'Herbarium essentials'. She was co-author in the
'Grasses of southern Africa' (1990) and recently completed, as the main author, a revised version of this publication. It is now awaiting publication. Over the years she also published a number of check lists for the grasses which appeared in various publications of the southern African Flora. New publications that are in the pipe-line in which she was responsible for the Poaceae are The Succulent Karoo and the Eastern Cape flora.
MS LIZE VON STADEN
Threatened Species Programme, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Pretoria
Lize von Staden completed her MSc in Botany at the University of Stellenbosch in 2006. Since then, she has worked with SANBI’s Threatened Species Programme, and contributed to the publication of South Africa’s first comprehensive Red List of plant species in 2009. She currently manages SANBI’s online Red List of South African Plants (redlist.sanbi.org), and continues to maintain the conservation assessments of South Africa’s plants. She is also involved with citizen science projects, primarily the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), a SANBI programme where volunteers contribute to surveys and monitoring of populations of rare and threatened plants, as well as iSpot (www.ispot.org.za), an interactive website where anyone can share their observations of and enthusiasm for nature.
DR CORNELIA KLAK
Department of Biological Science, University of Cape Town (UCT)
Cornelia Klak is the curator of the Aizoaceae collection at the Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town, where she has been employed for the last 15 years. She obtained her PhD from the University of Cape Town in 2002 for her research on the systematics of the Lampranthus group (Aizoaceae). Her publications include numerous articles on the classification and diversification of the Aizoaceae, floristic accounts for the Greater Cape Flora, as well as descriptions of new species and genera. One of the highlights of her research of the Aizoaceae is the discovery that the diversification of the Ruschieae (Aizoaceae) represents the most rapid and recent radiation so far recorded for plants. She completed two revisions of genera within Mesembryanthemoideae (i.e.
Psilocaulon and
Brownanthus). Her most recent research has resulted in a phylogenetic hypothesis for the Ruschieae. For her current research she is engaged in a floristic account of the Aizoaceae for the Nama Karoo and a revision of
Lampranthus.
RUPERT KOOPMAN
Scientific Services, CapeNature, Jonkershoek
Rupert is the fynbos botanist within CapeNature's Scientific Services unit. His day-to-day activities are almost as diverse as his work biome, ranging from specialist commenting on environmental impact assessments, environmental education, threatened plant monitoring and stewardship site assessments to engaging with landowners, communities and organised agriculture in fynbos habitats. A nearly ten-year long and ongoing association with CREW has meant that threatened species and habitats are a particular emphasis. He has a passion for lowland habitats, as these are where most pressure is exerted on the Western Cape's threatened ecosystems, following on from the work of his predecessor at CapeNature, the late Chris Burgers. In 2012, Rupert was presented with the CAPE (Cape Action for People and the Environment) Fynbos Conservation Award for "contribution towards the CAPE Strategic Objectives of securing biodiversity through protected areas including biodiversity stewardship and strengthening institutional capacity, governance and communication for coordinated action." Rupert values partnerships and the value of teamwork in achieving conservation targets. He is currently vice-chair of the Fynbos Forum (http://fynbosforum.org.za/). Rupert completed his BSc at the University of the Western Cape and worked as an environmental consultant, followed by a targeted Botanist internship with SANBI programme Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) and CapeNature. This transitioned seamlessly into his current position at CapeNature, where he started at the end of 2008. In his free time, Rupert is the chairman of the Kirstenbosch Branch of the Botanical Society and also serves on the BotSoc council.
NATALIE UYS
Candidate Scientist: Department of Environment and Nature Conservation

Natalie Uys obtained her BSc honours from the University of Pretoria in 2008 and was awarded the South African Association of Botanists honours bursary in the same year. Her honours project focused on the population status of Aloe dichtoma var dichotoma (Quiver tree/kokerboom) on Goegap Nature Reserve, Springbok, Northern Cape. She currently has a position as Botanist within the Research and Development Support Unit of the Northern Cape Department of Environment and Nature Conservation (DENC), Kimberley Head Office. DENC’s mission is to conserve and protect the natural environment for the benefit, enjoyment and welfare of present and future generations by integrating sustainable utilization with socio – economic development. Some of Natalie’s duties towards realising the department's vision is to do botanical research and monitoring within the Nama Karoo and Savanna biomes, as well as to provide specialist advisory services to other departmental units such as the Permit and Environmental Units.
MISS CHRIZELLE BEUKES
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP)
Chrizelle Beukes is currently enrolled as a PhD student in the Microbial Diversity and Evolution group of Prof. Emma Steenkamp. Her research focuses on identifying and characterizing the nodule-forming, nitrogen-fixing bacteria associated with legumes. Her previous work focused on the tribes Podalyrieae and Hypocalypteae, however her current interest falls on the tribes Genisteae and Crotalarieae. Chrizelle regularly assists with the Introductory Phylogenetics workshop hosted at the University of Pretoria and takes part in the Mentorsip Programme of FABI (which focuses on 2nd and 3rd year undergraduates). She has presented her findings at a number of local and international conferences.
MS SALOME MALGAS
African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB), University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Salome Malgas was born in Venda, Limpopo Province on the 13th March 1989, where she grew up. She matriculated in Soweto at Progress High in 2006. After this she enrolled at the Cultural Development Trust in 2007 in Newtown, Johannesburg, doing administration and art projects. Performances in art, dancing and drama were her main activities until March 2010 when she started working with plants. She finds this very interesting and is willing to learn more about plants. She is the herbarium technician and manages the collection of specimens, specifically mounting, labeling, and scanning the plant specimens. Ensuring they are well preserved is part of her job. She loves every moment of this and plans to learn more about plants in general. She would like to attend workshops and Botanical activities in the future. Currently she is one of the SANBI’s interns at the University of Johannesburg working on invasive plants.
MS ANIFAT BELLO
African Centre for DNA Barcoding (ACDB), University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Anifat Bello obtained her BSc. Hons and MSc degrees in Botany at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in 2003 and 2012 respectively. Her MSc research focussed on “Numerical Taxonomy of
Solanum species in Nigeria”. She was involved in the co-ordination of practicals (Plant Morphology, Plant Anatomy, Angiosperm Taxonomy) and also in the collections, labelling and preservation of plant samples for the herbarium in Obafemi Awolowo University. She is currently a PhD student in the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, University of Johannesburg under the supervision of Prof. Michelle Van Der Bank.
MISS MASHUDU NXUMALO
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria (UP)
Kulani Mashudu Nxumalo was born and raised in the city of Polokwane, in the Limpopo province of South Africa. She obtained her BSc and BSc Hons in Microbiology at the University of Limpopo. She was awarded the Faculty of Science & Agriculture IDC (Industrial Development Corporations) Best Student Award in Microbiology in 2011. Her previous work, under the supervision of her mentor, Professor Peter Masoko, includes medicinal plants active against
Mycobacterium smegmatis. She is currently a MSc student working on the diversity of rhizobia associated with legumes indigenous to the succulent Karoo.
MS ROBYN POWELL
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Compton Herbarium Kirstenbosch
Robyn Powell grew up in Pretoria, Gauteng where she attended school and later University of Pretoria where she completed a BSc in Environmental Science majoring in Ecology. After this, she completed her honours in Plant Science and her project focussed on alien invasive species. She went on to do her MSc in Botany at the University of Cape Town. Her thesis focussed on long-term change in the Cape of Good Hope Section of Table Mountain National Park, in response to fire, climate and land use using repeat photography, a novel technique used in fynbos. During this time, she also was involved in community outreach projects at UCT, such as Science Day and 100 UP where school pupils were exposed and encouraged to get involved in science. Earlier this year she was accepted as a candidate for the One Young World leadership conference. She has recently started a NRF internship at SANBI in Kirstenbosch, based in the Compton Herbarium.
MR SIMON LUVO MAGOSWANA
South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch
Luvo comes from a small town in Klerksdorp in the North West province and moved to the Western Cape where he obtained his undergraduate BSc in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology from the University of the Western Cape. While busy with his undergraduate BSc he volunteered at the Cape Flats Nature Reserve (CFNR), where he performed tasks such as making of firebreaks, bush cutting and recycling. Through the CFNR he attended a course in invader plant identification. Currently he is an intern at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch Research Centre through the National Research Foundation (NRF).
RENIER BALT
Citizen Scientist
Renier Balt is an engineer by training and project manager by profession with a passion for conservation and birdlife. As confirmed citizen scientist, he will facilitate the activities at home base and ensure quality samples of specimen species will be made available to the project. Through exposure to environmental issues whilst involved in satellite imagery projects, the plight of mother earth and the challenge to conserve biodiversity was obvious; this led to the conviction that taking individual responsibility for environmental matters is not negotiable, and should become a way of life.
Since the start of the present SABAP2 project, he completed more than 500 surveys over southern Africa and continues to contribute as citizen scientist to this important cause. Through participation in Enviro Outreach 2013 some remote areas could be covered for the first time.
MILLENE BALT
Coordinator of the Blog
Millene Balt will facilitate the blog content and exposure of the project to the widest possible audience through web-connectivity. With the interest of various stakeholder groups in mind, the blog should kindle interest and raise awareness of these target groups, whilst the scientists are in the field and working.
It is this interaction, which translates into continued support and sustainability of the project.
