Horticulture Tenders In South Africa: Where To Find Them And How To Win

If you work in landscaping, tree planting, grounds maintenance, irrigation, or alien clearing, horticulture tenders in South Africa can be a steady pipeline of work. Municipal parks, schools, clinics, housing projects, and private estates all need planting, turf, and maintenance. The challenge isn’t just finding the opportunities, it’s qualifying correctly, pricing smartly, and submitting a bid that stands up to functionality, PPPFA scoring, and environmental expectations.

This guide walks you through the full landscape: where to find horticulture tenders, what paperwork you need, how bids are evaluated, and practical steps to prepare a winning submission. You’ll see real-world examples, current trends (think water-wise planting and sustainability scoring), and mistakes to avoid. And when you’re ready to act, you can tap eTender SA to discover verified tenders without the noise.

Understanding The Horticulture Tender Landscape

Typical Scope And Categories

Horticulture tenders cover far more than grass cutting. Expect scopes such as:

Landscaping and planting: site preparation, soil amendments, mulching, indigenous trees and shrubs, lawn establishment (instant or seeded), edging, and softscape finishes.
Irrigation: design, supply, installation, and commissioning of drip, sprinkler, or smart controllers: upgrades to water-efficient systems.
Grounds maintenance: mowing, pruning, fertilization, pest and disease management, litter collection, seasonal flower beds, and tree care.
Alien invasive plant control: clearing, disposal, follow-up treatments, and rehabilitation with indigenous species.
Tree planting and arboriculture: street trees, staking, root barriers near services, formative pruning, storm damage response.
Sports fields and public open spaces: turf renovation, topdressing, aeration, line marking, and safety compliance.

Scopes are typically broken into Bills of Quantities (BOQs) with plant lists (species, container size/height, quantity), soil/compost volumes, irrigation materials, and maintenance durations (e.g., 12–36 months).

Public vs. Private Opportunities

Public sector: National departments (Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Public Works and Infrastructure), provinces, metros, and municipalities frequently tender for greening, EPWP-linked projects, cemetery landscaping, clinic and school grounds, road median planting, and alien clearing (e.g., Working for Water-style initiatives). SOEs like SANRAL, Transnet, PRASA, and Eskom also release landscaping and rehabilitation packages, often within larger infrastructure contracts.
Private sector: Estates, malls, corporate campuses, universities, hospitality, and developers issue RFPs/RFQs for design–build landscaping and maintenance. These can be quicker, relationship-driven, and may emphasize ESG outcomes (biodiversity, pollinator gardens, carbon and shade benefits).

Public tenders are governed by strict compliance rules (PPPFA, Preferential Procurement Regulations, Treasury Instructions). Private tenders prioritize capability, references, and value but can still ask for safety and environmental plans.

Seasonality, Regions, And Indigenous Planting

South Africa’s climate zones change the game:

Western Cape: winter rainfall, prime planting from autumn to early spring: summer water restrictions are common, so drip and mulch matter.
Gauteng/Highveld: summer rainfall, best planting in spring to early summer: frost risk in winter needs hardy choices or protection.
KZN and Lowveld: warmer, higher rainfall, year-round opportunities, but pests and rapid growth increase maintenance needs.
Arid regions: low water availability, xeriscaping, succulents, and gravel mulch dominate: establishment periods may be longer.

Expect growing emphasis on indigenous, water-wise species to support biodiversity and reduce irrigation demand. Some municipalities specify locally indigenous taxa, prohibit Category 1b invasive species, and require NEMBA compliance.

Where To Find Horticulture Tenders

National, Provincial, And Municipal Portals

National Treasury eTender Publication Portal: Central listing for government tenders. Use keywords like “horticulture,” “landscaping,” “irrigation,” “grass cutting,” “alien clearing,” and “grounds maintenance.”
Provincial portals: Check Gauteng e-Gov, Western Cape e-Tender, KZN Treasury, and others, some opportunities appear here first.
Municipal websites: Metros (City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, eThekwini) and local municipalities post adverts and addenda. Subscribe to their SCM alerts and tender bulletins.

Practical tip: Many horticulture notices sit under “facilities management,” “environmental services,” or “roads & stormwater” categories. Cast a wide net when searching.

State-Owned Entities And Public Institutions

SOEs: SANRAL (road medians, rehabilitation planting), Transnet (port and rail precincts), PRASA (station precincts), Eskom (substation buffer planting), ACSA (airport landscaping).
Public works and education: DPWI campuses, provincial public works, school governing bodies via provincial education departments.
Conservation and tourism: SANParks, provincial parks boards, tourism authorities, tenders for rehabilitation, alien clearing, and visitor area landscaping.

These buyers often require stricter safety files, environmental method statements, and in some cases CIDB gradings for related construction packages (particularly when hardscaping is included).

Private Portals And Smart Alerts

You can burn hours searching scattered portals. A better approach is to use curated platforms that surface verified horticulture tenders and send targeted alerts. eTender SA consolidates national, provincial, municipal, SOE, and private-sector opportunities and lets you set smart filters (region, category, estimated value). That means fewer missed opportunities and faster go/no-go decisions.

Bonus: Track addenda and briefing notices in one place, critical when a plant list or specification changes mid-process.

Entry Requirements And Compliance Essentials

Core Business Registrations And Tax

Before you bid, have the basics locked:

CIPC registration with your horticulture/landscaping activities reflected.
SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, must be valid on the submission date and at award.
COIDA (Letter of Good Standing) for employee injury cover.
UIF registration for staff.
Business bank account and proof for payment purposes.

B-BBEE, CSD, And Supplier Databases

CSD registration: Mandatory for national/provincial/municipal bids. Keep bank, director, and tax details updated to avoid automatic disqualification.
B-BBEE affidavit or certificate: Most horticulture tenders apply PPPFA scoring with specific goals. A valid Level can be the edge in 80/20 scenarios. For EMEs/QSEs, a sworn affidavit is often sufficient.
Buyer supplier databases: Many municipalities and SOEs require you to be on their vendor list. Complete these early: they can take weeks.

Health, Safety, And Environmental Compliance

OHS Act compliance: Safety file with baseline risk assessment, method statements, toolbox talk plan, and appointment letters (e.g., 16.2, first aider, fire fighter).
PPE and equipment certification: Chainsaw operator training, brushcutter competence, ladder inspections, and electrical compliance for pumps/controllers.
Environmental compliance: Adhere to NEMBA alien invasive lists, correct herbicide use (and licensed applicators where required), waste disposal manifests, spill control, and protection of trees outside works.

Licensing And Industry-Specific Requirements

Pest control operators: If you’re applying herbicides or pesticides, ensure registration with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and that on-site applicators are certified.
Water use: Large abstraction or borehole irrigation may need authorisation under the National Water Act: many tenders ask for your water-use plan.
CIDB: Where landscaping is bundled with construction (retaining walls, paving, earthworks), a CIDB grading (often GB or SQ) may be specified, check the invitation. For pure services, CIDB may not apply.
Standards: Reference SANS standards for irrigation components and landscape installation where specified by the employer.

How Horticulture Tenders Are Evaluated

Functionality And Technical Thresholds

Most horticulture bids first undergo functionality scoring with a minimum threshold (e.g., 60/100) before price and preference are considered. Typical criteria:

Relevant experience: Completed projects of similar size/scope (e.g., “3 projects > R1m in the last 5 years”).
Methodology and program: Clear method statements for soil prep, planting, irrigation commissioning, and maintenance regime.
Staff qualifications: Horticulturists, irrigation specialists, qualified chainsaw operators, supervisors with first aid.
Equipment and resources: Vehicles, trailers, chippers, brushcutters, pumps, trenchers, and access to nurseries.
Quality control and environmental management: Inspection test plans (ITPs), plant survival targets, invasive control strategy.

Price, PPPFA, And Specific Goals (80/20 Or 90/10)

After functionality, price and preference points kick in under the PPPFA. For many horticulture tenders:

80/20 applies to lower-value bids: 90/10 to higher-value thresholds set by regulations.
Specific goals can include promoting SMMEs, youth- or women-owned businesses, and local economic development. You’ll need supporting proof to claim points.
Arithmetical checks: BOQ extensions are verified: errors can be corrected in line with tender rules. Underpricing may flag risk during due diligence.

Local Content, Sustainability, And Community Participation

Local content: While plants aren’t a designated sector, some components (steel, valves, pipes) may be. If a local content declaration is required, complete SBD/MBD forms correctly.
Sustainability: Increasingly, buyers reward water-wise designs, indigenous plant palettes, and smart irrigation controllers. Demonstrate how you’ll reduce water consumption and boost biodiversity.
Community participation: Many municipal or EPWP-linked projects require local labor quotas, SMME subcontracting, or training commitments. Build this into your work plan and prelims.

Pricing, Site Visits, And Documentation

Reading The Scope, Drawings, And Plant Lists

Don’t skim. Cross-check:

Drawings vs. BOQ vs. plant schedules: Quantities, container sizes (e.g., 20L vs. 10L), heights, and spacing. Small changes swing price.
Soil specs: Topsoil depth, compost ratios, hydroseeding rates, mulch thickness, and soil testing requirements.
Irrigation: Pipe diameters, zone layout, controller type, pressure requirements, filtration, and water source.

Clarify contradictions early via RFI, answers often come as addenda binding on all bidders.

Compulsory Briefings And Site Conditions

Site visits reveal:

Access, security, and working hours.
Existing services and tree protection zones.
Soil contamination, rubble, or compaction needing remediation.
Water availability and pressure: water restrictions or tanker supply.
Microclimates: shade, wind exposure, frost pockets.

Missing a compulsory briefing is fatal. Sign the register and keep proof.

Costing BOQs, Materials, Labor, And Risk

Materials: Lock nursery pricing and availability early, especially for large trees or specific indigenous species. Specify equivalents if allowed.
Labor: Factor skilled vs. general labor, supervision, and EPWP ratios if stipulated.
Plant establishment: Include maintenance months, replacement guarantees, fertilizers, mulch top-ups, and irrigation monitoring.
Risk: Add contingencies for seasonal planting windows, water restrictions, theft/security, and fuel price swings.
Prelims and generals: Safety file costs, induction, site office, ablutions, waste removal, and testing.

Pro tip: Build a planting calendar aligned to rainfall. Pricing a winter planting in Gauteng, for instance, needs frost protection, extra watering, and potential replacements.

Step-By-Step: Preparing A Winning Horticulture Bid

Checklist: Bid Structure And Required Schedules

Create a master folder and index. Typical inclusions:

Invitation to Bid and signed Form of Offer/Authority to Sign.
CSD report, SARS TCS PIN, B-BBEE affidavit/certificate.
MBD/SBD forms, declarations of interest, local content forms (if applicable), and JV agreements (if any).
Technical proposal: methodology, program, organogram, CVs, references, resource list, and risk register.
Pricing: Completed BOQ, summary, and any provisional sums acknowledged.
Compliance: Safety plan summary, environmental plan, waste and water-use plans.
Supporting docs: Proof of similar projects (completion certificates, reference letters, photos), equipment ownership/lease agreements, and supplier letters.

Use a color-coded checklist to track what’s done, pending, or clarified. Submit well before the deadline, late bids are rejected unopened.

Method Statements, Work Plans, And Horticultural Standards

Your methodology should read like a site playbook:

Site establishment and tree protection.
Soil testing, ripping/decompaction, topsoil import, compost incorporation.
Planting holes, backfilling, staking, guying, and mulching standards.
Irrigation installation, pressure testing, flushing, commissioning, and as-builts.
Maintenance regime: watering schedule, fertilization, pruning, pest/disease control, weed management, and survival targets (e.g., 95% after 3 months).
Quality control: ITPs, hold points (before backfilling, before mulching), and sign-offs with the engineer/landscape architect.

Reference recognized standards (SANS, manufacturer specs) and include drawings/photos where allowed.

Experience, Team CVs, Equipment, And References

Functionality hinges on credibility. Strengthen it with:

Project summaries: scope, value, dates, client contacts, outcomes (e.g., “1,200 trees planted: 97% survival after 12 months”).
CVs: highlight horticulture qualifications, irrigation certifications, and years on similar projects.
Equipment list: quantity and condition of brushcutters, ride-on mowers, chippers, water bowsers, trenchers, LDVs, trailers.
Supplier relationships: letters from nurseries confirming plant availability and lead times: irrigation suppliers confirming stock.

Environmental Management, Water Use, And Invasive Control

Show that you manage impacts, not just plants:

Water-wise strategy: hydrozones, drip where feasible, mulch, soil wetting agents, and smart controllers.
NEMBA compliance: invasive clearing plan, disposal method, and follow-up schedule to prevent re-growth.
Waste and recycling: green waste chipping and reuse as mulch, legal disposal manifests.
Biodiversity: pollinator-friendly species, habitat features, and protection of existing trees.

Local SMME Participation, JVs, And Subcontracting

Score preference points and build capacity:

Partner with local SMMEs for maintenance crews or alien clearing teams: include training and skills transfer.
Use JVs to meet scale or add niche skills (irrigation design, arborists). Formalize roles, pricing splits, and accountability.
Document community participation: % local labor, learnerships, and supervision ratios. Align with EPWP or municipal targets where required.

A simple org chart showing main contractor, JV partners, and SMMEs helps evaluators visualize delivery.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Non-Compliance And Admin Errors

Missing signatures, incorrect MBD/SBD forms, expired TCS PINs, or un-initialed amendments.
Ignoring addenda, if the plant list changed and you didn’t adjust your price, your bid may be non-responsive.
Skipping compulsory briefings or submitting late.

Underpricing, Seasonal Risks, And Warranty Gaps

Pricing below realistic nursery and labor rates to “win on price” often backfires during due diligence or delivery.
Not accounting for water restrictions, frost, or heat waves, leads to plant loss and penalties.
Vague guarantees: If the tender requires a 12–24 month establishment, specify your replacement policy and inspection milestones.

Weak Method Statements And Poor Quality Control

Generic copy-paste methods don’t score. Tailor to the site and climate zone.
No ITPs or hold points, leads to disputes about planting quality or irrigation leaks.
Lack of photographic records before/after, hard to prove compliance or claim variations.

Mini Case Study: From Tender Notice To Award

Scoping, Costing, Submission, And Clarifications

You spot a municipal tender for median landscaping and 24-month maintenance in Gauteng. Scope: 600 trees (100L), 15,000 shrubs (5L), drip irrigation from existing meters, mulch, and litter control.

Scoping: At the briefing, you note low water pressure at several meters and shallow services near intersections. You submit an RFI proposing pressure-regulating valves and adjusted planting pits with root barriers.
Costing: You lock pricing with two nurseries, confirming delivery in three batches. You add frost cloth for first-winter protection and a night-watering schedule to reduce evaporation.
Submission: Your technical proposal includes detailed method statements, a month-by-month program, CVs for a horticulturist and irrigation technician, and letters from nurseries. Your BOQ reflects addendum changes.
Clarifications: The municipality asks about local jobs, you provide a plan to hire 12 local EPWP workers, with a supervisor ratio of 1:6 and weekly training.

Evaluation Feedback And Post-Award Mobilization

Outcome: You pass functionality (78/100), rank second on price, and secure enough specific goal points to lead on 80/20. Awarded.
Mobilization: Within 7 days, you submit the safety file, performance guarantee, and a revised program aligned to the official start date. You sign the Service Level Agreement and hold a kickoff meeting.
Delivery: You establish hydrozones, install pressure regulators, and mulch at 75 mm depth. First inspection shows 98% tree survival. You track watering volumes and provide monthly reports with photos and EPWP attendance sheets.

Takeaway: Thoughtful RFIs, realistic pricing, and a tangible local participation plan can tip the scales.

Building Capacity And Scaling Your Horticulture Business

Supplier Networks, Nurseries, And Irrigation Partners

Build relationships with reputable nurseries, secure priority on large, consistent orders and negotiate better rates.
Maintain a preferred list for irrigation components. Stockouts happen: dual sourcing prevents delays.
Collaborate with landscape architects and environmental consultants to pre-position on design–build opportunities.

Equipment, Training, And Certification Pathways

Invest in productivity tools: ride-on mowers, trenchers, chippers, and battery-powered tools for noise-sensitive sites.
Train supervisors in project management and basic cost control: upskill workers in plant ID, pruning standards, and irrigation troubleshooting.
Certifications: First aid, chainsaw/brushcutter operation, herbicide applicator licensing, and SAMTRAC or equivalent safety training for key staff.

Cash Flow, Performance Guarantees, And Insurance

Cash flow: Many public contracts pay 30 days from invoice/statement approval. Budget for materials upfront, especially plants and irrigation kits.
Performance guarantees/retention: Expect 5–10% performance security or retention. Price the cost of capital into prelims.
Insurance: Contract works, public liability, and plant/equipment cover. Check that green waste fires, herbicide drift, and theft are addressed.

Scaling tip: Use maintenance contracts as your annuity base and pursue periodic installation projects for growth. Track job profitability by section (planting vs. irrigation vs. maintenance) to refine your pricing.

Conclusion

Horticulture tenders in South Africa reward businesses that combine compliance discipline with practical site know-how. If you can read a plant list like a bill of rights, design water-wise systems, and prove reliable delivery with local participation, you’ll compete strongly on both functionality and price–preference.

Ready to move from browsing to bidding? Visit eTender SA to find verified horticulture tenders, set smart alerts for your provinces, and get in early on the opportunities that fit your capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do horticulture tenders in South Africa typically include?

Horticulture tenders in South Africa span landscaping and planting, irrigation design and installation, grounds maintenance, alien invasive clearing, arboriculture, and sports field turf care. Expect detailed BOQs with plant lists, soil and compost specs, irrigation materials, and defined maintenance periods, often 12–36 months, with clear performance and survival targets.

How are horticulture tenders in South Africa evaluated under PPPFA?

Most bids first pass a functionality threshold assessing experience, methodology, team, equipment, and environmental management. Then PPPFA price–preference scoring applies (commonly 80/20 or 90/10), with specific goals for SMMEs or local participation. Arithmetical checks on BOQs are done, and underpricing risks may trigger due‑diligence concerns.

What compliance and registrations are required before bidding?

Have CIPC registration, a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, COIDA Letter of Good Standing, UIF, and CSD registration for public bids. Include a B-BBEE affidavit or certificate, required MBD/SBD forms, and safety and environmental plans. Pest-control licensing and CIDB gradings may apply when herbicides or construction elements are involved.

Where can I find current horticulture tenders in South Africa?

Use the National Treasury eTender Publication Portal, provincial portals (e.g., Western Cape, Gauteng, KZN), and municipal websites. Also monitor SOEs like SANRAL, Transnet, PRASA, and Eskom. Curated platforms such as eTender SA consolidate verified notices, addenda, and briefing alerts, helping you filter by region, category, and value.

How should I price a horticulture tender to stay competitive without underbidding?

Lock written quotes with nurseries and irrigation suppliers, verify plant sizes and quantities, and align planting schedules with regional seasons to reduce replacements. Cost prelims (safety file, supervision, waste removal), factor risks like water restrictions and theft, and include establishment maintenance. Use realistic productivity rates and document proposed equivalents.

Can foreign companies bid on horticulture tenders in South Africa?

Yes, but public-sector bids generally require CSD registration, valid tax compliance (or a South African tax representative), and full completion of mandatory forms. B-BBEE points can be limited without local ownership, so JVs with compliant local partners are common. Ensure local OHS, environmental, and licensing requirements are met for delivery.