The CIB was established in 2004 as an inter-institutional Centre of Excellence within the DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence Programme. Its mandate is to conduct research, development, and training in biodiversity science, especially as it applies to understanding the impacts of, and managing and preventing biological invasions.

The Centre’s relationship with the Millennium Trust started in 2020, when an initial grant of R2 million by the Trust closed a financial gap left by a cut in funding from the Department of Science and Technology. The most recent grant of R7.5 million over three years will support the creation of the new research chair in 2022.

"We have had several SARCHi Chairs as part of the CIB – this has provided additional support for our work," explains Prof Dave Richardson, Director of the CIB and a professor in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University.

"Following the phasing out of our funding as a national Centre of Excellence, the CIB needs to transition to a new model. Our plan is to become a centre/unit/institute based at Stellenbosch University that will be self-sufficient. To do this, we need to secure funding for several Chairs that will support academics to supervise students and conduct research, as well as admin support, funds to cover overhead costs at the university, and bursaries for students. The chair for the Millennium Trust is the first of such chairs, and we need at least two more."

After discussions with the Trust, it was the decided that the “protected area” focus was most aligned with their interests as it speaks to the Trust’s objectives of promoting an effective civil service as well as promoting excellence in South Africa.

"The CIB provides crucial support to several government departments with a mandate to manage protected areas. It also aims to be globally acknowledged for excellence, inclusivity and innovation, advancing knowledge in the service of society in South Africa, across continental Africa, and globally,” adds Prof Richardson.

"We plan to continue to deliver world-class research, student training, information brokerage, etc. to our partners, which include government organisations, NGOs and private landowners, to allow South Africa to deal with escalating problems associated with invasive species and related factors tied to global change.

"We are sincerely grateful to the Millennium Trust for this donation. The new Chair will build on the solid foundations of research undertaken over the 18-year history of the CIB. In partnership with SANParks, Cape Nature and other partners we will seek innovative solutions for dealing with invasions in South Africa’s protected areas.”