On 28 January, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) deployed 130 employees from all seven regions as part of a large-scale “Mega Blitz” initiative aimed at accelerating critical horticultural maintenance across southern Johannesburg.
The operation focused on grass-cutting, clearing and tree maintenance along key routes and public facilities, including Eldorado Park, the K43 and Nirvana Drive in Lenasia, the R557 in Lawley, as well as Freedom Park and Orange Farm. Tree pruning was also undertaken at Olifantsvlei Cemetery in Orange Farm, while a separate high-impact, multi-entity operation was carried out in Randburg.
JCPZ said the Mega Blitz initiative is designed to strengthen service delivery while boosting staff morale and productivity during the organisation’s peak operational period.
Managing Director, Thanduxolo Mendrew, stressed the importance of safety amid adverse weather conditions. “We are mindful that this is our peak operational period, when grass-cutting and park maintenance are vital. However, dangerous weather conditions require prioritising the well-being of our employees and the animals entrusted to our care. Service delivery must always be carried out safely and humanely,” Mendrew said.
JCPZ has appealed to residents for patience and understanding as extreme heatwaves and persistent rainfall continue to disrupt scheduled maintenance activities.
The greening entity is responsible for maintaining more than 2 175 public open spaces across Johannesburg, including parks, nature reserves, cemeteries, street trees, major arterial verges, areas along water bodies and the Johannesburg Zoo.
