A petíció címzettje: Parliament of South Africa

We have to convince parliament to promulgate new legislation, requiring nurseries and other plant sellers to have 30% indigenous representation by the end of 2026, 50% by the end of 2028, and 70% by the end of 2029.

Because most nurseries and other plant retailers predominantly sell exotic plant species, the root of South Africa’s languishing biodiversity problem persists. Plants that should never leave cultivation are distributed freely through retail channels, often mislabelled or unlabelled, and later escape into surrounding ecosystems. This ongoing cycle of introduction, escape, and spread undermines the billions spent on control and rehabilitation. Without stricter enforcement and education within the horticultural trade, eradication efforts become a losing battle — we clear one area only for new invasions to begin elsewhere.

Nurseries have a crucial role to play in reversing biodiversity loss. By adopting strict indigenous-first policies, auditing plant lists against NEMBA’s prohibited species, and labelling all stock clearly, they can become the first line of defence rather than a vector of invasion. Promoting local provenance plants, partnering with conservation agencies, and educating customers about the ecological and water benefits of indigenous gardening can transform nurseries into active allies in restoration. This shift would not only protect natural habitats but also help rebuild public trust in the horticultural sector as a steward of South Africa’s living heritage.