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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97807  Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Horticulture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2032-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to produce learners who are competent to plan, develop and manage sustainable plant nurseries and landscapes in a variety of contexts (commercial, community, and amenity), while ensuring sustainable and effective use of natural resources. The qualification empowers young people with the necessary skills set to create and maintain sustainable environments within the various strata of South African society. Upon completion of this qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of environmental best practices to facilitate sustainable horticulture.
  • Apply practically; the appropriate career focussed managerial; administrative and technical skills within the Green industry.
  • Identify, select, propagate and cultivate a range of high quality ornamental, indigenous and medicinal plants for use within the nursery, landscaping and community sectors.
  • Plan, install and maintain appropriate sustainable landscapes with suitable hard and soft landscaping elements for a range of applications including commercial, amenity and community sectors.

    Rationale:
    The Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping (SHL) will equip young South Africans with the necessary greening skills and techniques to impact their local schools, municipalities and corporate environments. This is done by applying traditional horticultural techniques of plant propagation and cultivation coupled with sound site planning and landscape design principles.

    Building on the established disciplines of botany and indigenous and ornamental plant knowledge learners will be informed by a broad knowledge base of plant culture including soil science, plant protection and environmental studies. The focus of each module is on practical application and sustainability that is selecting materials and methods according to how they will enhance the environment and mitigate harmful effects.

    Horticulture while it is a subset of the agriculture industry is actually a form of Applied Botany and as such is more intense and diverse in nature with multiple sectors and specialisations. The diploma will produce learners to service the needs of the following sectors. These include inter alia:
  • Amenity horticulture.
  • The commercial Floriculture industry; The Turf grass industry.
  • The Landscape Industry.
  • The Wholesale and retail nursery industries. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The Recognition of Prior Learning is applicable to all prospective learners to the Department of Horticulture. The Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping may be achieved in part through the recognition of prior learning, subject to departmental or institutional requirements which includes formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. If the prospective learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification the appropriate credits would be assigned to the prospective learner.

    The department's RPL process will be aligned to the Durban University of Technology's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and may include possible representation from industry and affiliated associations when reviewing RPL applications.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners are required to have one of the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an endorsement for Diploma Studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate (SC).
    Or
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with an endorsement for Diploma Studies. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification comprises 33 core modules at NQF Level 5 and 6 and 3 electives totalling 360 Credits. Learners must choose at least 2 electives.

    Modules:
    Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5 (112 Credits):
  • Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
  • Growth Media Studies, 8 Credits.
  • Ecology, 8 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 1A,12 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Horticulture 1A, 16 Credits.
  • Horticulture 1B, 12 Credits.
  • Business Management 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Business Management 1B, 8 Credits.
  • Estates and Grounds Management 1A, 8 Credits.
  • Estates and Grounds Management 1B, 8 Credits.

    Elective modules at NQF Level 5 (Choose 2) (Min 24 Credits):
    Institutional General Education.
    Elective 1:
  • Information and Communication, 8 Credits.
  • Technology Literacy and Skills, 8 Credits.

    Elective 2:
  • Me, 8 Credits.
  • My World, 8 Credits.
  • My Universe, 8 Credits.

    Elective 3:
  • World of Work, 8 Credits.
  • Leadership, 8 Credits.

    Modules at NQF Level 6 (224 Credits):
  • Integrated Pest and Disease Management 2A, 8 Credits.
  • Integrated Pest and Disease Management 2B, 8 Credits.
  • Faculty General Education Community Development and Engagement, 12 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 2A, 8 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Horticulture 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Horticulture 2A, 8 Credits.
  • Business Management 2A, 8 Credits.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management 2B, 8 Credits.
  • Sustainable Landscape Planning and Practice 2A, 12 Credits.
  • Sustainable Landscape Planning and Practice 2B, 12 Credits.
  • Environmental Sustainability 2A, 8 Credits.
  • Environmental Sustainability 2B, 8 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Plant Studies 3B, 12 Credits.
  • Horticulture 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Horticulture 3B; 12 Credits.
  • Horticultural and Landscape Operations 3A, 8 Credits.
  • Horticultural and Landscape Operations 3B, 8 Credits.
  • Sustainable Landscape Planning and Practice 3A, 16 Credits.
  • Sustainable Landscape Planning and Practice 3B, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of environmental best practices to facilitate sustainable horticulture.
    2. Apply practically; the appropriate career focused managerial; administrative and technical skills within the Green industry.
    3. Select, identify, propagate and cultivate a range of high quality ornamental, indigenous and medicinal plants for use within the nursery, landscaping and community sectors.
    4. Plan, install and maintain appropriate sustainable landscapes with suitable hard and soft landscaping elements for a range of applications including commercial, amenity and community sectors. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Global and local environmental context including the application of international conventions and protocols as well as national and regional responses are understood.
  • Appropriate National and local environmental legislation and policies are identified and their application to the horticulture and landscape sector is examined.
  • The unique role and position of South African biodiversity and its application within the horticulture, landscape and conservation sectors is understood.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Managerial and administrative activities are carried out in a way that maximises productivity and is cost efficient and effective.
  • Effective entrepreneurial and human resource and leadership skills are demonstrated in the workplace.
  • Effective and appropriate communication channels are established in the workplace.
  • Managerial and administrative activities are performed in accordance with relevant health and safety, labour and other relevant legislation and ethical principles.

    Associated assessment criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Suitable plant material is selected, identified and described in terms of their diagnostic characteristics and in accordance with their ornamental, landscaping and conservation value.
  • Sexual and asexual plant propagation techniques with emphasis on environmental sustainability are assessed and evaluated.
  • The application, construction and maintenance of appropriate plant growth and propagation facilities are described.
  • Plant production plans are developed according to sectoral requirements.
  • Appropriate cultural practices are applied in terms of irrigation and media requirements, plant protection and pruning techniques.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessments will utilise instruments such as:
  • Integrated Learning Projects (ILP) which bring together learning elements from different modules.
  • Portfolios of Evidence (POE) demonstrating practical and applied horticultural and landscaping competencies.
  • Practical examination of key horticultural and landscape skills sets.
  • Written classroom tests, examinations, case study reports and or assignments.
  • Presentation of posters, plans, online class room assessments, blended e-learning and technological based learning.
  • Research based projects and reports demonstrating scholarly and academic competencies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and the component modules, learning outcomes, teaching learning and assessment methods have been compared with similar qualifications and training courses from the following countries:
  • United Kingdom.
  • Australia.
  • Canada.

    Qualifications that were examined and that were quite similar in content to the proposed Durban University of Technology Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping include:
    Writtle College Foundation Degree (FdSc) Horticulture in the United Kingdom (UK) offers a Foundation Degree (FdSc) Garden Design. The purpose of this qualification is to make sure that learners acquire an understanding and ability in art and 3D design, horticulture, plant knowledge, landscape construction, contract management and business skills. It is a unique integration of the arts and earth sciences. This qualification is designed to combine those disciplines using creative, self exploratory and practical techniques. Learners will be trained in all these aspects in preparation for rewarding and challenging careers in garden design consultancy.

    The Urrbrae Campus in South Australia has a Diploma of Horticulture. Some of the modules are:
  • Diagnose plant health problems.
  • Develop a horticultural production plan.
  • Assess trees.
  • Identify, select and specify trees.
  • Develop a plan for a hydroponic system.
  • Manage landscape projects.
  • Develop and implement a streetscape management plan.
  • Negotiate and monitor contracts.
  • Prepare and monitor budgets and financial reports.
  • Develop and manage a chemical use strategy.
  • Assess landscape sites.
  • Monitor and manage soils for production.

    Niagara Parks School of Horticulture in Canada offers a 3 year Diploma qualification with a structured practical training to selected learners with the emphasis on integrating practical and theoretical aspects, much like we have done in the Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping.

    Conclusion:
    The proposed Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping (SHL) compares well with international curricula and horticultural practice. One of the unique aspects of the proposed qualification is the emphasis on practical work and the development of our own School of Horticulture at Durban University of Technology which mirrors the American and Canadian models. While the structure of curricula and mode of module delivery differs, the key knowledge and skills taught in these qualifications is also contained in the Durban University of Technology Diploma. The proposed SHL qualification has been designed to provide a solid grounding in foundational horticultural and landscaping skills and is particularly relevant to the South African context, where the provision of Green skills enables young people to contribute immediately to the development of the Green Economy while ensuring environmental sustainability. It ensures the development of the so called "generalist specialist" who is then able to select a particular sector and then focus on his/her chosen career path. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma in Ornamental Horticulture at NQF Level 6.
  • Diploma in Nature Conservation at NQF Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Extension at NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Durban University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.