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High plant diversity maintains ecosystem functioning and delivery of services in response to disturbance through the insurance of functional redundancy. Forbs (herbaceous dicots and non-graminoid monocots), rather than grasses, comprise most of the species in South African mesic grasslands, which receive more than 600 mm of annual rainfall. Research in South Africa's mesic grasslands has shed light on the critical role of forbs in maintaining ecosystem health. Grazing significantly impacts forbs, with overgrazing drastically reducing diversity and replacing native species with hardy, often exotic ones, underscoring the importance of light stocking and judicious grazing management. Certain forb species serve as indicators of grazing intensity, with their relative abundance informing a forb condition score for monitoring and adjusting grazing practices accordingly. High-density, short-duration grazing (HDG) may not immediately affect forb diversity but can damage individual plants, promote unpalatable grasses, and alter forb composition, potentially harming soil health. Forbs exhibit individualistic responses to grazing and competition, highlighting the need for nuanced management strategies. Although forbs regrow after defoliation, their underground storage organs are depleted, affecting future growth and potentially reducing diversity in the long run, emphasizing the importance of lenient grazing pressure. While HDG can increase litter accumulation, it might not effectively replace fire's role in stimulating growth and reducing competition, underlining the significance of fire in maintaining forb diversity. Beyond grazing, certain forbs provide valuable food for herbivores, support pollinator communities, and offer essential resources for human livelihoods, necessitating a deeper understanding of their role in the ecosystem. Managing for forb diversity involves maintaining forb-rich habitats through responsible fire and grazing management practices to sustain biodiversity and the various services these grasslands provide. In conclusion, forbs are an indispensable component of healthy mesic grasslands in South Africa, and understanding their responses to disturbances informs effective land management practices for ensuring long-term ecosystem health.