Zoo Lake, one of Johannesburg’s most beloved green spaces, has just received a birthday gift unlike any other: A striking new mosaic celebrating its 121st year.

Unveiled at the popular park, the artwork was commissioned by the Zoo Lake Users Committee (ZLUC) as a heartfelt tribute to a space that has brought joy to generations of city residents.

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The mosaic stands where a heritage plaque once did, before it was vandalised beyond repair. With no funds from the city or Heritage Foundation to replace it, ZLUC decided to dig into its own donation-based budget.

“We wanted something meaningful,” said Tracy Davies from the ZLUC. “Something that reflected Zoo Lake’s history and beauty. The mosaic is our gift to the park and its people.”

Designed by artist Dionne McDonald, of the Spaza Art Gallery in Troyeville, the mosaic captures the very essence of Zoo Lake: The fountain, the water, the trees, the rowboats, and even the Hillbrow Tower on the skyline.

Thanks to the help of Concrete Units Gauteng, who created a vandal-resistant base for the artwork, the piece is both beautiful and built to last.

Zoo Lake, gifted to the people of Johannesburg over a century ago, remains a sanctuary of calm in the city’s bustle. The new mosaic is more than decoration; it’s a reminder of the park’s enduring spirit.

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