Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo managing director Thanduxolo Mendrew has cleared the air regarding the city’s record-breaking tree planting initiative.
Mendrew confirmed that all 3 000 trees, planted along Winnie Mandela Drive, were sourced from City Parks’ own nurseries, and that the initiative has no connection to the G20 agenda.

The project is part of the City of Johannesburg’s ongoing efforts to expand and replenish its urban forest, which is already recognised as the largest man-made forest in Africa. “All 3 000 trees come from Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo,” said Mendrew.

Read more: City Parks breaks record, plants 3 000 trees along Winnie Mandela Drive in an hour

“We grow them ourselves in our nurseries. Most are Celtis Africana, a resilient indigenous species well suited to Johannesburg’s Highveld conditions. They don’t need much water and thrive in our local climate.”

Mendrew said that the tree planting forms part of the city’s climate action plan, which prioritises reforestation and green canopy expansion to tackle issues like air pollution and the urban heat island effect.

“This is not a G20 project. It’s an initiative by the City of Johannesburg, through City Parks, to respond to climate change, green the city, and extend our canopy to areas that historically had fewer trees.”

He said the initiative builds on commitments made earlier this year, during the African Forum for Urban Forests, hosted in partnership with UN-Habitat, the first of its kind on the continent since the pandemic.

“We are continuing Johannesburg’s legacy as a green city, but we’re also ensuring that, as old trees are removed or die, new ones are planted to sustain the city’s green future.”

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Explaining the choice of Winnie Mandela Drive for the large-scale planting, Mendrew said the route connects different communities, and carries symbolic and practical value.

“It’s one of the city’s longest arterial roads, linking Fourways with Diepsloot. It’s accessible, has space for planting, and celebrates the legacy of Winnie Mandela. It’s also a space where affluent and less affluent areas meet, so it represents unity and inclusivity.”

Mendrew added that residents will play a key role in maintaining the newly planted trees. “It’s one thing to plant a tree, but another to look after it. We’re working with communities along the route to water and care for them, ensuring a high survival rate.”

He said the juvenile trees will begin to visibly transform the area within a year, with a fully developed green boulevard expected within the next two to three years.

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