Alien invasive plants (AIPs) pose significant ecological, social and economic challenges for South Africa. These species threaten South Africa’s rich biodiversity, deplete our scarce water resources, reduce the agricultural potential of land, cause soil erosion and intensify flooding and fires. According to recent estimations, over eight per cent of land in South Africa has been invaded by AIPs and at current rates of expansion, their impact could double in the next fifteen years. The significance of the threat posed by AIPs is recognized in a number of international4 and regional conventions. The South African government has similarly identified the removal of AIPs as a priority and has established a range of programmes to deal with the crises including the Working for Water Programme, the Ukuvuka Campaign and most recently the Working on Fire programme. As of January 2004, government expenditure on the Working for Water programme alone amounted to R3.2 billion and it is estimated that it will cost R650 million per year for the next twenty years to bring AIPs under control.
