In line with the 45th celebration of South African Youth Day, the Botanical Society of South Africa (BotSoc) will be giving away 500 free youth memberships through their branches.
BotSoc General Manager Antonia de Barros emphasized that South Africa’s extraordinary flora needs to be protected now, so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.
“We recognize that our youth are a driving force to protect our plant life. They are energetic, technologically savvy, and focused on the problem-solving skills we need to tackle today’s global biodiversity challenges,” she added.
In the same way, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also stressed that the youth are “our greatest asset.”
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What is the Botanical Society of South Africa?
The Botanical Society of South Africa is a member-driven organization. It offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across South Africa.
Through a free youth membership, young South Africans can form connections. Particularly, networking with seasoned BotSoc members is “critical to the social exchange needed to enable the transfer of knowledge, skills, and perspective to each other,” as per Antonia.
What Can South Africans Get From the Free Youth Membership?
The giveaway fits in with BotSoc’s transformation strategy. To expand, it aims to nurture the passion and knowledge of young people about the importance of nature, and the conservation of our flora.
Currently, the free memberships rollout is in progress.
To illustrate, the BotSoc Kogelberg Branch awarded four BotSoc youth memberships to members of the Strandlopers Youth Group from Kleinmond.
On the other hand, BotSoc Free State branch awarded BotSoc youth memberships as prizes to the top three Honours students in Botany at the University of the Free State.
The Botanical Society of South Africa has also generated jobs. In fact, 43 youth in national botanical gardens across South Africa are being recruited from diverse communities this year.
In partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), BotSoc gives youth members the chance to help with the upkeep of the gardens. They will also learn more about plant conservation through propagation. Also, members study plant identification and collaborate with local BotSoc branches and the associated garden curators.
For more information, please visit the official BotSoc website.
