With regard to biodiversity, we inhabit a country that is immensely diverse in terms of people, culture, landscape, biology, biological resources and ecology. We are working with various stakeholders and would like to see our country remain the third most mega diverse country in the world, which it is at present. However, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss are a reality that continues to threaten and flood our efforts. This rich environmental heritage sustains many ecosystem services, which are the very foundation of our South African livelihood and economy.