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Johannesburg City Parksconserving the past, advancing the future
Introduction
www.jhbcityparks.com
Luther Williamson
Managing Director
Johannesburg City Parks
Message from the Chairperson
Message from Luther Williamson The rewards of building a greening legacy in the City of Johannesburg lies in the pleasure these spaces bring. Johannesburg City
Parks has accelerated the development of new parks, planted in excess of 160 000 trees, enhanced bird and wildlife sanctuaries,
established conservation areas, and greened former dustbowl townships – transforming derelict spaces to tranquil and aesthetically
pleasing recreation areas, to offer the best possible outdoor activities in Johannesburg.
Conserving and preserving the environment is our dedicated focus. It is a continuous challenge to maintain the delicate balance
between ecosystems and city-dwellers’ usage of parks, greenbelts, nature reserves and other areas. In a time of global warming,
these efforts help preserve nature and provide the ecosystem for clean water, clean air, and offsetting carbon usage.
City Parks remains committed to conservation, the greening of the City, the creation of jobs, nurturing opportunities in ecotourism,
balancing past inequities, and honouring the spaces and communities that made it all possible.
This brochure highlights key environmental events, illustrates our challenges, and recognises the dedication, hard work and partner-
ships that make greening Johannesburg a reality.
Many Thanks to our partners and donors in creating a greening legacy IUCN The World Conservation Union, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, TOTAL South Africa , The Rand Water Foundation, Old Mutual, Nedbank, FleetAfrica, Township TV, Central Rand Gold, Sasol, Pernod Richard SA, Sappi, Afrox,
ABSA, Citibank, Kimberly-Clark (KCC), Juta Bookshops, BHP Billiton, Standard Bank, Toyota SA, Nedbank, Aucor, Vodacom, MTN, Equity Aviation, Township TV, Primedia, Cell C, Old Mutual, Citibank SA, BHP Billiton, Prestige Services,
Mike Horn, Wide Open Platform, Airports Company of South Africa, 94.7 Highveld Radio, Die Beeld, 702 Talk Radio, The Star, The SABC’s 50/50, Soweto TV, CNBC Africa, KayaFM, Caxton, The Citizen, Sowetan, Urban Green File, Land-
scape SA, Department of Water and Environmental Affairs, The Gauteng Provincial Government, The Institute for Environment and Recreation Management (Africa) and The City of Johannesburg.
Griffith Zabala
Chairperson
Board of Directors
Johannesburg City Parks
In today’s world, preserving the environment is foremost on people’s minds. The City of Johannesburg remains committed to leading
the way to an environmentally sustainable future.
The Constitution of South Africa enshrines the right of South African citizens to an environment which is not harmful to their health or
well-being and to sustainable management and utilisation of the country’s resources for current and future generations. Our mandate
is to preserve local biodiversity and provide habitat protection. Every tree we plant is one small step towards a better future. By
greening less affluent neighbourhoods, the City contributes to a better quality of life for all its citizens.
To work with the environment is a great privilege. Seeing the faces of schoolchildren as they learn about conserving the environment
or to pick up trash from nearby streams, is to know we are building future generations who understand the implications of their actions.
Page 1
The Wilds Nature Reserve
Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
About City Parks 4
2010 City Greening 5
World Wetlands Day 7
Water Week 8
Klip River/Klipsruit Rehabilitation 9
International Earth Day 11
World Environment Day 12
Arbor Week 13
XtremePark Makeover 15
Key Environmental Learnings 17
My Dream Park 19
International Day of Disabled 21
Greening Soweto 23
Johannesburg City Parks Public-Private Partners 25
The Role of Conservation in Johannesburg 27
Johannesburg City Parks Environmental Awards 28
Environmental Future for Johannesburg City Parks 29
Table of Contents
Page 2
Thokoza Park/Moroka Dam, SOWETO Page 3
The Wilds Nature Reserve
One of the world’s largest man-made forest lies in the boundaries of the City of Johannesburg. Satellites overhead
Africa read Johannesburg as a dense forest. And yet, the city faces the challenges similar to those of developing
nations: balancing the needs of the poor with the more affluent greener suburbs to the north. With over one hundred
years’ of history, Johannesburg City Parks is moving rapidly to build a rich legacy of greening in Johannesburg.
Johannesburg is one of the fastest-growing cities on the continent. Growth brings issues of urban development,
environmental impact and the impact of human settlements. An increase in buildings, cars, roads and people; results
in less public open space for green in this landscape. The role of Johannesburg City Parks has become especially
important to protect the City of Johannesburg’s environmental heritage.
In the past five years, more parks were built than in the previous 20 years. More greenbelts were established, more
waterways rehabilitated, and greater care taken to develop conservation principles that would create a lasting impact
for generations to come. Previously dusty townships have seen trees, parks, greenbelts; many for the first time.
New partners have joined forces with local efforts, creating public-private partnerships to help exponentially grow the
greening future.
Throughout the year, City Parks celebrates many key events on its calendar. Many of these events are coupled with
active environmental education programmes to raise awareness in schoolchildren. Key events celebrated by City
Parks include World Wetlands Day, National Water Week, International Earth Day, World Environment Week, Arbor
Week and the International Day of the Disabled.
Johannesburg City Parks welcomes its citizens, visitors and members alike to enjoy the green legacy of the City of
Johannesburg for many decades to come.
About Johannesburg City Parks
Page 4
2010 City Greening
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ heralds one of the most
exciting events to come to South Africa. To capitalise
on the momentum of the 2010 tournament, the City
of Johannesburg partnered with the 2010 FIFA World
Cup™ organisers to implement a lasting
environmental legacy for Johannesburg. City Parks
plays an important part in the roll-out of these plans.
2010 represents an opportunity for the City to create
the infrastructure, systems and environmental legacy
that will provide benefits for the present and future
generations. These games represent far more than
a chance to showcase our world-class African city.
They are the impetus to jump-start enormous
programmes that will dramatically improve the quality
of life for Johannesburg citizenry.
Of the R1 billion in legacy projects identified by the
City and Executive Mayor Amos Masondo, two of the
seven projects involve greening. Dozens of soccer
fields are being upgraded and the Klip River and
Klipspruit area, together with its tributaries, will be
rehabilitated.
Page 5
Mofolo Park
2010 City Greening
Parks such as the Diepkloof XtremePark in Soweto
were created in 24 hours, river areas cleaned, older
parks upgraded, greenbelts developed. In
preparation for Fan Parks and for future events,
large-scale screens are being placed in high-den-
sity parks in townships such as Soweto, Alexandra,
Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Joubert Park, Ivory Park,
Diepsloot and Orange Farm.
The City is going green in preparation for the
thousands of fans that are set to converge on
Johannesburg for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
When the matches begin and the vuvuzelas blow,
the City of Johannesburg will be ready with greater
environmentally sustainable practices in place to
celebrate a Green 2010, and beyond.
In addition to the legacy projects, Johannesburg City Parks is implementing its most important
environmental project, the 2010 Greening Soweto Legacy Project, for the planting of 200 000 street trees
in Soweto, where the starting and finishing games will be held. Throughout the city, green areas such as
road islands are being upgraded and beautified.
Page 6
As the planet’s natural resources become scarcer and more polluted, the condition of our waterways grows in importance.
Wetlands play a critical role in maintaining a clean ecosystem by purifying water and providing a habitat for plants and
animals.
In South Africa a wetland is defined as ‘transitional between land and aquatic systems, where the water table is at or near
the surface or the land is periodically covered with shallow water and which land in normal circumstances supports or
would support vegetation typically adapted to life in saturated soil’.
Wetlands provide many positive indirect benefits such as flood reduction and streamflow regulation, groundwater recharge
and discharge, water purification, erosion control by wetland vegetation, biodiversity and chemical cycling. These are
particularly important in Johannesburg due to high river run-off from new developments and increased pollution caused by
urbanisation.
City Parks works closely with various partners on projects such as the Vorna Valley Wetland Rehabilitation and Erosion
Control Project. City Parks also participates in various forums such as the Gauteng Wetland Forum, which brings together
government and interest groups to ensure the protection, integrated management and sustainable utilisation of wetlands.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated throughout the world on 2 February. Johannesburg City
Parks holds key events together with the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs
with a strong focus on education for children about the importance of wetlands.
Red Toad
2 F
ebru
ary
Grey Heron
Emmarentia Dam
World Wetlands Day
Page 7
4 - 8 March
Dorothy Nyembe Park
Water is the lifeblood of parks. Without it, parks and greening could not exist.
Together with Joburg Water, during Water Week, City Parks engages thousands
of schoolchildren on water conservation, water management and usage. Water
Week runs in South Africa from 4 – 8 March, during which time citizens learn
about the importance of conserving water.
When young people understand the importance of water preservation, they
make efforts to conserve, to manage and protect this valuable resource. City
Parks engages the youth not only on education, but also in water conservation
practices. The new street trees in Soweto require intensive watering in their
initial lifecycle. Over 3 million litres of greywater are diverted to watering these
trees.
It is practices such as these that contribute to City Parks’ events during Water
Week, and most importantly, to ensuring that future generations are educated
and knowledgeable about the continuous cycle of water and its benefits for both
plants and humans.
Water Week
Eradicating alien plants helps conserve our water resources
Many of Johannesburg’s open spaces are found along and around water-
courses and on undeveloped ridges and hills. This is where alien plants
commonly occur, which are a threat to our natural resources and
biodiversity.
Many consume more water than indigenous vegetation and can quickly
replace indigenous vegetation. The common terrestrial invader plants
in Johannesburg are the black wattle, eucalyptus, bugweed, poplar and
sesbania. The common aquatic invaders are the giant Spanish reed and
water hyacinth.
City Parks is in partnership with the Working for Water Programme to
eradicate and control the alien invasive species. This important pro-
gramme also contributes to creating jobs, providing training and creating
an awareness about the effect of alien invasive plants.
Page 8
Johannesburg is a city of rivers, mostly invisible to city-dwellers. Many townships were built near marshy wetland areas, trickling with small rivers and surrounded by reeds.
Over time these rivers were affected by human settlements and became silted and polluted. The rehabilitation and greening of the Klipspruit and Klip River catchment area is
one of the city’s 2010 FIFA World Cup™ legacy projects, championed by the City of Johannesburg.
The Klip River/Klipspruit rehabilitation creates a 70km long living network of greenways and open spaces. By increasing the overall quality of the Klip River and Klipspruit
catchment area, the city can ensure improved outdoor recreation space for all citizens, especially residents adjacent to rivers. Eco-recreational infrastructure development will
offer bird-watching and hiking; park development, and greening.
Litter and debris are being removed, riverbanks cleaned and maintained, and reed growth is being managed. A project known as ‘Mailungelento: let it be right’ is under way,
using industrial theatre to raise awareness and involve the community.
This project is of importance for the Gauteng Province because the river flows into the Vaal River system, which provides the domestic water for consumers in the area. By
prioritising the functionality of the wetlands, streams and rivers for the better quality of water - the rehabilitation project will aim to balance ecological and social needs, ensuring
that both nature and the people benefit.
Klip River/Klipspruit Rehabilitation
Page 9
Greening Orlando Stadium
The history of Johannesburg is one of a city of many extremes,
and many makeovers. The city has been built, and rebuilt,
many times over. The landscape has changed dramatically
with the development of townhouse complexes, more office
blocks, wider roads and more congested roadways. Joburg
residents welcome change, and the XtremePark Makeover has
been an instant hit.
It was public fascination with instant transformation on
television reality shows and overnight makeovers that became
the inspiration for the ‘XtremePark Makeover’. The concept is
simple; to create a park on an empty piece of land in 24 hours.
With the enormous number of requests for parks to match the
frenzied building pace, the XtremePark Makeover
initiative answers to the need to accelerate park
and beautification developments.
XtremePark locations are selected in areas where an ‘instant’ park will have the most impact – many
in new settlements. The Diepkloof XtremePark makeover included over 600 city parks and community
members, and won gold at the Liveable Communities Award in China.
Orlando West Park
Greening Orlando Stadium
Page 10
22 A
pril
Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre
In 2006 the Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre was built in Soweto. The centre plays an
important role in educating young people on the environment. It was developed on green principles and
features an indigenous herb garden, large hall and boardroom. More than 15 000 beneficiaries take part
at Dorothy Nyembe each year to learn more through City Parks’ educational programmes on how better to
look after our planet.
Learners from JB Marks Primary School
International Earth Day
Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre
In 2006 the Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre was unveiled in Soweto. The centre plays
an important role in educating young people on the environment. It was developed on green principles
and features an indigenous herb garden, large hall and boardroom. More than 15 000 beneficiaries take
part at Dorothy Nyembe each year to learn more through City Parks’ educational programmes on how to
care for our planet.
It began as a grassroots demonstration on the environment in the
1970s, and today International Earth Day mobilises 200 million
people in 140 countries to provide a global platform for
environmental issues. Earth Day is celebrated at the precise
moment of astronomical mid-autumn in the Southern
Hemisphere, 22 April. In South Africa Earth Day symbolises a day
to raise awareness of and preserve the environment.
Johannesburg City Parks marks Earth Day with the planting of
trees in areas otherwise denuded of vegetation. In 2009, in
addition to Earth Day, City Parks and the City of
Johannesburg marked Earth Hour on 27 March by switching off
all lights throughout the city for one hour to create an awareness
of climate change and use of electricity and resources.
Each year more trees, greening and vegetation make their own
small positive impact on the climate – with hope that the
behaviour of each individual can change the world around us for
the better.
Page 11
Malachite Kingfisher - Norscot Koppies & Kingfisher Reserve
5 Ju
neLearning to Preserve the World: the Role of Environmental Education
Johannesburg City Parks Environmental Education plays an important role during key environmental events. The
White Paper on Education states that ‘environmental education, involving an interdisciplinary, integrated and active
approach to learning must be a vital element of all levels and programmes of the education and training systems in
order to create environmentally literate and active citizens and ensure that all South Africans, present and future, enjoy
a decent quality of life through the sustainable use of resources’.
School programmes include activity sheets for key environmental themes, including water & sanitation, soil, air, energy,
habitat, plants, animals, land and its uses, food and nutrition, wetlands, pollution and waste management, modern
science and populations, biodiversity, protected areas and wildlife. Through an active programme combining field trips
to reserves and wildlife areas, games, assignments and follow-up activities, the Environmental Education department is
dedicated to creating tomorrow’s conservationists.
Environmental education also encompasses City Parks’ role in public participation. By allowing for constructive
participation of stakeholders through a systematic process, City Parks Education Department creates opportunities
for individuals and communities to become involved in how the city’s green areas are preserved.
Another key environmental event on Johannesburg City Parks’ calendar, World Environment Week takes place in
the week of 5 June, World Environment Day. Established by the United Nations in 1972, World Environment Day
encourages people to live sustainably and equitably, to promote awareness and understanding that communities play
a central role in changing attitudes towards environmental issues, and to develop partnerships with entities within the
City of Johannesburg, such as Pikitup, to nurture a healthy and litter free Johannesburg.
World Environment Day
Page 12
Nelson Mandela and Grace Machel planting a tree in Soweto on Madibas 90th birthday
Arbor Week
1-7 Septem
ber
Arbor Day started back in the 1800s, originally as an
‘environmental teach-in’. Today 200 million people in more than 140
countries celebrate Arbor Day, and individuals and
organisations around the world dedicate themselves to the
planting of trees. South Africa observes National Arbor Week from
1 – 7 September, and greening activities, especially in schools, are
celebrated at this time.
On the calendar of environmental activities, Arbor Week is one of the
most important to drive an awareness of preserving the environment.
With climate change on many people’s
consciousness, the planting of trees plays an important role in com-
bating our carbon footprint.
The planting of trees is far more than a ceremony; it is the
celebration of preserving biodiversity and creating clean air in
Johannesburg. Arbor Week has a tremendous impact on people’s
lives on a global scale, through combating climate change,
improving air quality and the beautification of the planet. In
previously disadvantaged areas, trees provide a kind of
environmental justice to once barren, neglected areas.
In 2008 former President Nelson Mandela planted the 90 990th tree
in Thokoza Park, Soweto, to mark the day. Thousands of schoolchil-
dren participate in environmental-education programmes, learning
about how to plant, care for and preserve trees. The ‘Tree Education
& Awareness’ programme teaches learners of the value before the
trees are planted. Many previously disadvantaged schools receive
100m2 indigenous gardens and lessons on how to preserve those
gardens. Follow-up visits ensure the sustainability of these
programmes.
Page 13
Emmarentia DamAuckland Park crèche
City Parks dedicates its activities to improving public awareness of the impact of trees on
our environment, and holds tree-planting activities throughout the year in various parts of
the city.
What’s in a tree?
Each tree planted offsets an individual’s environmental impact by ‘breath-
ing’ in about 1 ton of CO2 emissions over its lifetime of 100 years. It’s
estimated that the average person needs to save about 7 000kg of CO2
per year. Planting just seven trees each year is one way to offset your car-
bon footprint. City Parks focuses on hardy indigenous trees, which take in
CO2 , provide sustainable habitat for wildlife and enhance Johannesburg’s
natural landscape.
To learn more about your carbon footprint, try City Parks’ carbon calculator on
www.jhbcityparks.com
Page 14
Diepkloof Park
The history of Johannesburg is one of a city of many extremes,
and many makeovers. The city has been built, and rebuilt,
many times over. The landscape has changed dramatically
with the development of townhouse complexes, more office
blocks, wider roads and more congested roadways. Joburg
residents welcome change, and the XtremePark Makeover has
been an instant hit.
It was public fascination with instant transformation on
television reality shows and overnight makeovers that became
the inspiration for the ‘XtremePark Makeover’. The concept is
simple; to create a park on an empty piece of land in 24 hours.
With the enormous number of requests for parks to match the
frenzied building pace, the XtremePark Makeover
initiative answers to the need to accelerate park
and beautification developments.
XtremePark locations are selected in areas where an ‘instant’ park will have the most impact – many
in new settlements. The Diepkloof XtremePark makeover included over 600 city parks and community
members, and won gold at the Liveable Communities Award in China.
St Ives My Dream Park
XtremePark Makeover
Page 15
The building of an XtremePark is like a race; the bulldozers roll in, the area
is re-landscaped, the equipment brought in and painted, and the planting
begins. Everyone works late into the night, and when the unveiling begins
the next day, there are cheers and excitement as a new recreational space
is opened to the public.
With Joburg’s continuous growth, many more new XtremeMakeover
Parks are in the planning, as well as opportunities for partners to become
involved in changing the city’s landscape.
Protea Glen Park
John Robbie & Luther Williamson at Protea Glen XtremePark Makeover David Webster ParkPage 16
With each tree planted, each watercourse rehabilitated, each park or conservation area developed, we
learn from our environment. Some of the most important lessons have to do with how human beings
work together with the environment. City Parks has been building and developing parks and conservation
areas for more than 100 years, and yet there is always more to learn.
Understanding how natural and man-made habitats influence people’s quality of life is a big step towards
creating healthier, more sustainable green spaces. And with the dramatic increase in population and
number of parks and conservation areas in Johannesburg over the past few years, City Parks has
identified and embraced many key aspects of environmental learnings.
Environmental Sustainability.
With the success of XtremeParks and other greening efforts, a key issue in the City of Johannesburg is
the sustainability and maintenance of parks and other green spaces. Careful assessments of the quality
of soil, water and other elements is key to the long-term sustainability of Johannesburg’s greened areas.
Community Consultation and Participation
Communities play a critical role in the success of
parks, conservation areas, waterways and greenbelts.
Sensitivity to community issues and acknowledging
their part in the process contribute to a healthier
community relationship. City Parks’ active public-
participation process provides a rigorous system to
ensure community involvement. This is complemented
with rigorous bylaw enforcement by the park rangers.
Village Weaver
Klipriviersburg Nature Reserve
Key Environmental Learnings
Page 17
Heritage & Biodiversity
Protecting unique and fragile ecosystems is necessary to maintain the local
heritage and biodiversity. With less space, conservation in terms of nature
reserves is critical. City Parks has created several dedicated bird sanctuaries,
nature reserves, and small pockets of protected areas in Johannesburg.
Job Creation
Making opportunities for those who live adjacent to newer green developments is
important. Jobs to plant trees, maintain green spaces, even to grow reeds that can
be used for housing are all opportunities to help improve the quality of life of those
in close proximity to green areas. Diepkloof XtremePark was built with the help
of 300 people from the nearby community. City Parks was honoured with Gold
at the Liveable Communities Awards in 2008 in China and for its efforts with the
Extended Public Works Programme in job creation and skills training as part of the
2008 Vuna Awards.
Safety & Security
In the complex environment of high urban density, maintaining an appropriate level
of safety and security continues to be a challenge, especially as green spaces
increase. City Parks manages a dedicated unit of Park Rangers to ensure safety
and law enforcement within these areas.
Environmental Ethos
Maintaining strict standards of environmental practices and requirements helps
create the space where humans live in harmony with biodiversity. City Parks has
found that applying international bench-marking standards builds towards creating
world-class facilities.
Education & Protecting the Environment
City Parks has found that teaching young people and benefiting communities to
understand the environment better goes a long way towards protecting and con-
serving our natural resources, and helps contain bylaw infringements.
As much as City Parks has already learned, the environment is fragile; with each
new development there are more challenges, more spaces to green, and more
environments to protect for present and future generations to enjoy.Music legend, Lionel Richie and MD of City Parks, Luther Williamson planting a tree at Zoo Lake.
Page 18
The R500 000 "My Dream Park" school competition sponsored by Total SA. Page 19
Making dreams come true is the focus of ‘My
Dream Park Primary School Poster
Competition’. Schoolchildren enter an annual
competition by creating drawings of their own
‘dream park’. The winning school is rewarded
by seeing that dream become a reality.
Johannesburg City Parks, in partnership
with the Gauteng Department of Education
and corporate donor TOTAL, works together
with schools to encourage children to dream
about and visualise an environmental future.
The schools with the winning drawings are
then presented with parks to the value of
R500 000.
My Dream Park
In a city where so many children have grown up without safe places to play, having their own neighbourhood park becomes
critically important. A park is a space where children can be watched over, safe from traffic and away from places that attract
crime.
Each new park is built to the winning drawing’s specifications, with infrastructure, play equipment, trees and other aspects to
make it My Dream Park. Today the competition attracts more than 500 entries from schools throughout Johannesburg -
building on children’s dreams for a greener city.
My Dream Park is part of City Parks’ capacity-building programme for schools and communities. Other programmes include
the Share Your Views on Green Matters debate competition, the Schools Going Green Project, and Community-Based
cleaning and greening initiative Bontle ke Botho.
October
St Ives My Dream Park
Page 20
Johannesburg City Parks is dedicated to creating parks that cater for those with physical and
intellectual challenges, and is committed to implementing policies, programmes and projects to
support access to the disabled. In Soweto, the Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre was revamped for
children with multiple disabilities. The new space was greened and recreated with wheelchair-
friendly swings, a touch-and-smell greenhouse, a water feature and a wheelchair maze.
Several new parks contain specially developed wheelchair trails, scented gardens for the
visually impaired and play spaces that allow physically challenged children to play.
Local celebrities such as musician Zola and several funders have been generous with their time
and donations, and it is touching to hear the laughter and see the smiles of the children being
treated to a special day in the park.
International Day of Disabled
Parks are for people, and most especially for children. Children with
disabilities are close to the hearts of those at City Parks, and over time the
International Day of the Disabled has become a large event on the
organisation’s calendar.
The International Day of the Disabled is observed throughout the world on
3 December each year, drawing attention to and creating awareness of
the plight of the disabled. To see hundreds of children attend this event is
to understand the physical and emotional support needed to improve their
quality of life.
3 D
ecem
ber
Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre
Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre
Page 21
The Story of Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre
The remarkable story of the Nkanyezi
Stimulation Centre lies in the dedication of one
mother, Priscilla Thembekile Tshabalala. Her
son, Nkanyezi, meaning ‘star’, was diagnosed
with cerebral palsy at just a few months. The
condition affected his brain and muscle tone,
and his mother struggled to keep him alive for
11 years with every treatment possible.
Nearly nine years after Nkanyezi’s death,
Tshabalala, who also lost three of her five other
children, works at the Nkanyezi Stimulation
Centre, dedicating her life to providing care,
shelter and love for children with disabilities.
The centre was developed with donations from
City Parks and Standard Bank, and stands with
its name, Nkanyezi, in tribute to the care of one
mother for her disabled son.
Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre
Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre
Page 22
In 2006 an ambitious programme was launched to
kick-start the greening of Soweto. The excitement
over South Africa’s winning bid for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup™ was high, as was the enthusiasm to
build a lasting legacy for residents and visitors alike.
Though City Parks had been undertaking massive
renovations in Soweto over the previous few years,
2010 provided the impetus to take efforts to another
level.
Johannesburg’s largest township, Soweto, with more
than 2 million residents, lies adjacent to Nasrec,
where the tournament’s opening and closing match-
es will be held. The township’s prominent struggle
history attracts millions of tourists each year.
Johannesburg City Parks launched the 2010
Greening Soweto Legacy Project to create a
‘greening revolution’ and transform the dry streets of
Soweto into a verdant paradise. The goal is to plant
200 000 trees by 2010 along main streets and in
residential areas.
Each street tree is older than two years and taller
than two metres, and the effect of thousands of trees
in the area has begun to create an impact, especially
in absorbing carbon emissions along busy arterials.
Greening Soweto
Thokoza Park Moroka Dam
City of Johannesburg, Mayor Amos Masondo
Page 23
Dorothy Nyembe Environmental Education Centre
Ms Winnie Mandikizela-Mandela and Executive Mayor Amos Masondo celebrating Arbor Day at Dorothy Nyembe Park
And it doesn’t stop with street trees. City Parks is also beautifying road islands and verges, creating
greenbelts, memorial sites and new parks in Soweto. The nearby Klip River is being rehabilitated as part
of the overall environmental upliftment, and many new recreational sites are being created for residents.
The vibrant greening of Soweto initiative isn’t limited to the planting of trees and greenways. The
programme is complemented with school-based greening initiatives to transform schools by developing
indigenous gardens on their grounds. In partnership with the South African National Biodiversity Institute
(SANBI), the ‘Schools Going Green Project’ aims to develop indigenous gardens across schools in
Johannesburg.
In turn, these schools are asked to adopt a community centre and create a snowball effect of rolling out
a greener city. In addition to the school activities, specific community wards have been selected for
additional park development, tree planting and poverty alleviation through vegetable gardens
programmes.
Thanks to the many partners who have assisted City Parks in
greening Soweto, this massive project is the crown jewel in the
2010 FIFA World Cup™ Green Goals for 2010, and will leave
behind an environmentally sustainable legacy for all who live or visit
Soweto to enjoy.
Page 24
With the ever-increasing demands of a growing city and for local
government to do more with less, public-private partnerships are
essential to achieving the ambitious goals of a world-class African
city. The combined efforts of the City with like-minded partners
are making a difference in Johannesburg.
Looking after more than 20 000 hectares of parks, nature
reserves and green belts is no small task. More has been done
to green Johannesburg in the past five years than in the previous
20 years. The transformation of many townships has begun. City
Parks is creating long-term partnerships with organisations and
companies that share its philosophy on conservation and commit-
ment to preserving the environment.
Partnerships include other municipal entities, national
government, private sector donors and community organisations.
City Parks’ community workshop, ‘Know your Environmental
Rights’, empowers local communities as partners in environmen-
tal development.
Specific guidelines and initiatives guide Johannesburg City,
including the Growth and Development Strategy, Joburg 2030
Vision and other strategic documents. Many focus on enhancing
the standard of life for citizens. Public-private partnerships help to
achieve those goals.
Organisations such as The World Conservation Union (IUCN and
the governments of Norway and Sweden have contributed exten-
Johannesburg City Parks’ Public-Private Partners
Joha
nnes
burg
City
Prk
s’ P
ublic
-Pri
vate
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tner
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Diepkloof XtremePark with representatives from the World Conservation Union
Page 25
Organisations such as The World
Conservation Union (IUCN and the
governments of Norway and Sweden
have contributed extensively to
addressing green disparities in Soweto.
City Parks thanks its many partners
for their efforts, great and small. We
recognise that these contributions can
make the difference in providing a child
with a space to play, a schoolroom to
learn more about the environment, or a
community with a space where they can
interact and enjoy life.
City Parks offers many opportunities
for those who wish to participate in the
City’s conservation efforts. The need for
preserving the environment is greater
than ever before. Also critical is assisting
people to coexist with the environment.
Actor / Musician Zola at the International Day of the Disabled
The City has expansive eco-tourism initiatives, strong relations with the Public Works Programmes for job and small-business creation,
children’s programmes, food-garden development, memorial parks, wildlife and conservation preservation, and many more opportunities
for donors and sponsors to become involved in conserving the City of Johannesburg.
Page 26
The Role Of Conservation in Johannesburg
Within the thousands of hectares for which City Parks is responsible lie many hidden gems. The City has over
1 200 hectares of conservation areas, 807 hectares of designated nature reserves, 15 bird sanctuaries, and
unique initiatives including a giant bullfrog pan, a butterfly reserve, and even a bushbaby reserve.
The Environmental Conservation Department at City Parks aims to ensure the sound management of
biodiversity and the cultural landscape, and the ecosystems of this precious landscape. The department also
oversees environmental compliance, promotion of environmental education and awareness within the organisa-
tion and among the public. In addition, it co-ordinates and determines the development of eco-tourism initiatives
in Johannesburg.
The hiking trails in Kloofendal won the international ‘Green Flag Trails Accreditation’ in 2008. In addition, the
department is actively implementing the ‘Yardstick’ international bench-marking programme and is working
towards ‘Green Flag Parks’ status. Altogether these international standards are part of the City of
Johannesburg’s overall efforts to create a World-Class African City.
Melville Koppies
A World Rarity: the Roodeport Copper Butterfly
Just on the outskirts of Roodeport lies a small reserve of
12,46 hectares, the Ruimsig Butterfly Reserve. Just 20mm
long, the rare Roodeport Copper Butterfly (Aloeides dentatis
dentatis) is found nowhere else in the world but this small
grassland area, and is Red Data-listed as vulnerable.
This unique site has some of the oldest rocks in South Africa.
It also has an unspoilt example of threatened vegetation
known as the Egoli Granite Grassland. Plans are under way
to develop the nature reserve as a first-of-its-kind combined
research and education facility in Southern Africa.
Page 27
Johannesburg City Parks Annual Environmental AwardsWith so many initiatives taking place throughout Johannesburg, City Parks created
the Johannesburg Environmental Awards in 2001 to recognise the dedicated efforts
of those who contribute to the environment. Initially the awards were internally
focused, but over time it was identified that partnerships made the City’s green efforts
more sustainable.
Categories include Local Government Media, Corporate Social Investment in Green-
ing, Inter-Governmental Environmental Support, Community-based Greening
Initiatives, Environmental Education, Non-governmental Environmental Initiative,
Women in Greening and Children in Greening.
The awards pay tribute to those who are committed to
building a more vibrant and environmentally conscious
Johannesburg. Many have volunteered their time and
energy to improving the local environment. Winners have
been involved in improving local hiking trails, dedicated
efforts to eradicate alien invasive plants and maintain
safety and security in open spaces, and many have
donated generously to the planting of trees as part of the
city’s 200 000 tree campaign.
It is only with efforts such as these, that strides can be
made in addressing Johannesburg’s environmental
imbalance.
Jeremy Mansfield with Luther Williamson
Page 28
As our ecosystems become smaller and more threatened by population growth, pollution and the effects of humanity in smaller spaces, preserving the
environment becomes all the more important.
City Parks is dedicated to creating open spaces, conserving the environment, developing eco-tourism and implementing initiatives that all citizens and visitors
may enjoy.
The City of Johannesburg remains committed to an environmentally sustainable future. With its mandate to safeguard public open spaces and
conservation, Johannesburg City Parks will continue in its quest to create a greening legacy for a vibrant future.
Environmental Future for Johannesburg City Parks
Com
mitt
ed to
an
envi
ronm
enta
lly s
usta
inab
le fu
ture
.
The Wilds Nature Reserve
Page 29
Johannesburg City ParksHistorical Timeline
• Johannesburg was established in 1886 with two portions of land set aside for park
development. One of the first parks, Joubert Park, later became the jewel of the city,
with a bandstand, pond with large ornamental fountain, conservatory and exotic
landscaping. The City's first cemetery was developed in 1886 on the corner of Bree,
Harrison and Diagonal Streets. Remains were later reinterred at Braamfontein, which
was established on 84 acres in 1888.
• By 1903 the Town Engineer's Report showed ten parks with a total area of 245 morgen
300 square roods, which by 1906 had come to include Joubert Park, Jeppe Park, End
Park, City and Suburban Park, Oval Park, Troyeville Park, Rotunda Park, Bezuidenhout
Valley Park, Westdene Park, Hermann Eckstein Park and the Zoological Gardens.
• In 1904 Messrs H Eckstein and Company presented the Municipality with 200 acres
of freehold ground in the Braamfontein Plantation, which later became the site of the
Johannesburg Zoo. In 1905 is the first mention of street trees planted along
Commissioner, Noord, Troye and Harrison Streets.
• By 1910 the town had 20 parks ranging up to 289 acres. In 1911 Brixton cemetery was
established on 55 acres of ground. By 1933 the number of parks had grown to 54. The
Wilds in Houghton became popular for its Wild Flower Garden. In 1942, West Park
Cemetery was opened. By 1944 the Department had taken over large portions of Farms
Braamfontein No 11 and Waterval No 10, on which there were large plantings of trees.
• The King and Queen of England visited Johannesburg in 1947 and met the children of
Johannesburg on the Zoo Lake Sports Ground and Pioneer Park. In 1949 the Cydna
Disposal Works were established as the Florence Bloom Bird Sanctuary, which is now
Delta Park, site of one of the country's best environmental centres. The choirs that sing
annually at Zoo Lake began as early as 1948. In 1958, the Melville Koppies Nature
Reserve was proclaimed, and in 1961, a 25-acre rose garden was created at the Jan
van Riebeeck Park, which is now the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens.
• In 1972 Avalon Cemetery was established in Soweto, which today is 172 hectares in
extent and holds the graves of many apartheid activists. This was at the height of the
apartheid protests, and many areas of the city were destroyed during this time.
• After the first democratic elections in 1994, the government expanded the City's
responsibility to include the surrounding townships, and began an intensive process of
providing infrastructure. Several councils were joined together, and in 2000
Johannesburg City Parks was established as a non-profit municipal-owned entity
(MOE). The Parks Department was expanded to cover an area of 15 000 hectares and
many more parks, and soon after this its offices were moved to Braamfontein.
• In 2006 Johannesburg City Parks became the first MOE to attain SETA accreditation
for its training. Through the Expanded Public Works Programme more than 3 500 jobs
have been created, with training for more than 1 500 individuals. In 2008, City Parks
won the Expanded Public Works Programme Best Project Municipal Award. Over the
past two years, City Parks has planted an additional 120 000 trees, and with the formali-
sation of townships more parks have been created in Cosmo City, Mapetla, Eldorado
and Bram Fischerville, and at the Diepsloot Cemetery.
• In keeping with the City of Johannesburg's goals to create a World-Class African City,
City Parks participated in the UN initiative, the Liveable Communities Global Award
(LIVCOM). In 2007 City Parks won eight awards for this event, and a gold medal was
awarded in 2008 for work done in Ivory Park. Today City Parks has responsibility for
more than 22 000 hectares of parks and an additional 20 000 hectares of greenbelts
and wetlands.
Published by the Johannesburg City Parks Marketing & Communications DepartmentTel: +27 11 712 6600Fax: +27 086 550 9290
Email: [email protected] 30
City of JohannesburgJohannesburg City Parks
+27(11) 712 6600www.jhbcityparks.com
www.jhbcityparks.com
