Ward 94 councillor David Foley was hands-on and brimming with excitement during a large-scale greening initiative on November 11. Amid the flurry of activity, he even managed to sneak in a moment with city officials to plant a tree – one he jokingly named after himself.

The ambitious project, led by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ), saw 3 000 trees planted in just one hour, transforming the stretch of Winnie Mandela Drive between Fourways and Diepsloot into a vibrant, tree-lined boulevard.

This environmental milestone was made possible through a partnership between City Parks, the Fourways Improvement District, and several private sector collaborators. The initiative united city departments, local estates, and residents under a shared goal: a greener, more inclusive Johannesburg.

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

Giselle Zeeman, a resident of Fourways Gardens Estate, joined the planting effort with heartfelt enthusiasm.

“This is just a wonderful initiative. We really just want to help the environment and make sure that we’ve got a beautiful place behind us. I’ve been driving up and down this road for 15 years, dropping my kids at school.

I’ve been dying for this initiative to come to fruition, and finally it has. It’s such hard work to plant these trees, no gym for me for a week. I’m going to be very skinny.”

JCPZ managing director Thanduxolo Mendrew clarified that the trees were all locally sourced and dismissed speculation that the initiative was linked to the G20 agenda.

“All 3 000 trees come from City Parks and Zoo. We grow them ourselves in our nurseries. Most are celtis africana, an indigenous species suited for the Johannesburg Highveld; they’re resilient and don’t need much water.”

He explained that the tree-planting forms part of Johannesburg’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to expand the city’s urban canopy and tackle challenges such as air pollution and the urban heat island effect.

“This is not a G20 project. It’s about our long-term commitment to greening Johannesburg and ensuring that areas which historically had fewer trees now get the same environmental benefits.”

Mendrew emphasised that this was not a one-off planting drive but part of a sustained maintenance plan to ensure the city’s urban forest continues to thrive.

“When you move from Diepsloot to Fourways, you feel the change. Fourways is greener and cooler because of its trees. In Diepsloot, with fewer trees, the heat is harsher. Planting along Winnie Mandela Drive helps balance that.”

Also read: Ward councillor slams city for fixing G20 roads, while ignoring local services delivery

The location was chosen for its symbolic and practical significance.

“It’s one of Johannesburg’s longest main roads, linking affluent suburbs and townships. It’s also a celebration of the woman whose name the road carries. We want this to be a living tribute; a place that’s both beautiful and unifying.”

He stressed that community involvement is key to the project’s success. “It’s one thing to plant, but it’s another to care. This initiative is community-led; people living along the route will help water and protect the trees.”

Foley praised the environmental teams and residents for their passion and teamwork.

“It was amazing to see that kind of spirit. The people here really care.”

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