Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is gearing up for a year of transformation, growth, and renewed commitment to its mandate of protecting and enhancing the city’s natural environment. The entity’s Managing Director, Thanduxolo Mendrew, says the 2025/26 financial year will mark a new era of delivery, innovation, and sustainability one defined by purpose and pride, as Johannesburg prepares to host the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Mendrew reaffirms that JCPZ remains deeply committed to managing and protecting Johannesburg’s parks, cemeteries, open spaces, and zoo while contributing to a sustainable environment for current and future generations. “The year ahead presents an opportunity to continue our vital work and to expand our impact in ways that are bold, thoughtful, and aligned with the City of Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy (GDS 2040).”
At the heart of JCPZ’s mission lies the vision of a Johannesburg that is environmentally sustainable and liveable.
“This is more than a slogan. It’s the foundation of every decision we make from the way we green urban spaces to how we support job creation and youth development,” he notes.
JCPZ has identified four strategic focus areas for the year ahead: enhancing service delivery, building organisational capability, ensuring financial sustainability, deepening ethical and transparent governance.
“These priorities are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. Together, they form the foundation of a city that cares for its people, protects its environment, and creates lasting opportunities,” says Mendrew.
JCPZ plans to expand its reach into underserved communities, enhance safety and cleanliness across parks and cemeteries, and ensure every resident has access to green spaces close to home.
Environmental education also remains central to the entity’s mandate, with programmes such as Zoo-To-You and Masimbambisane continuing to bring wildlife and environmental awareness directly to schools and community centres across Johannesburg.
Climate resilience is another that remains a top priority for JCPZ. The entity will intensify efforts to prepare Johannesburg for the impacts of climate change through investments in green infrastructure, expanded tree-planting drives, and eco-corridor development to enhance biodiversity and cool urban areas.
“These initiatives are not just about aesthetics, they are essential interventions that support flood mitigation, biodiversity, and overall environmental health,” Mendrew stresses.
JCPZ contributes to Johannesburg’s job-intensive economy by offering meaningful employment in park maintenance, urban agriculture, and conservation through its job creation and co-operatives programme. Youth development also remains a priority, with learnerships and green-skills training equipping young people with the knowledge and opportunities to thrive in the environmental sector.
Internally, JCPZ is focused on building a high-performing, values-driven organisation. Human capital development, leadership training, and employee wellness are key pillars of this effort, supported by inclusive platforms such as the Labour Management Forum.
“We believe empowered teams deliver better services. We are building a workplace where excellence, innovation, and accountability thrive,” he notes.
Financial discipline and governance remain top priorities. JCPZ is streamlining operations, diversifying income streams, and strengthening financial controls to deliver greater value with fewer resources. The entity has reinforced its governance framework through enhanced anti-fraud measures, improved audit readiness, and the introduction of a Stakeholder Charter to guide transparent relationships with communities, service providers, and the municipality.
As Johannesburg enters a new phase of urban and environmental renewal propelled by the global attention surrounding the G20 Summit JCPZ is positioning itself as a key driver of green development, civic unity, and community wellbeing.
Mendrew say the city’s role as host of the G20 Leaders’ Summit on Saturday and Sunday, 22 and 23 November 2025, adds a transformative dimension to JCPZ’s work.
“Hosting the summit is not just an event it is a catalyst for broader transformation. It reignites passion in the hearts and minds of residents and our dedicated workforce, inspiring us all to build a liveable, green city that reflects the best of Johannesburg to the world.”
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph