Hlengiwe Mtshali is a Red List Scientist at the South African National

Biodiversity Institute, where she works within the Threatened Species Programme.

Her work focuses on assessing the risk of extinction for South Africa’s plant species

using internationally recognised IUCN Red List standards, helping guide national

conservation priorities and biodiversity policy. Hlengiwe has built an extensive career

in biodiversity science, having held several roles at SANBI, including Conservation

Officer and Coordinator for the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers

programme. Through this work, she has contributed directly to the monitoring and

protection of some of South Africa’s most vulnerable plant species. She holds a

Master’s degree in Botany from the University of the Free State, along with an

Honours and undergraduate degree in Plant Sciences, and has a strong research

background in vegetation ecology, particularly wetland ecosystems. Her

contributions to scientific research and national biodiversity assessments play a key

role in shaping how South Africa understands and responds to biodiversity loss.