December 9, 2003
By Bontle Moeng
THE new Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Zoo, Jenny Gray, brings vast experience to her new position, from obtaining an MSc in transportation engineering to heading up the electronic banking division at a major bank.
Gray replaces Thembi Mogoai, who left the zoo at the end of October to pursue private business interests. Mogoai had held the position of CEO since 2000.
Although she has only been in the job for two weeks, Gray has already identified a number of challenges. "One of my main objectives is to carry on from where Thembi Mogoai left off, turning the Johannesburg Zoo into a world-class zoo." In order to do this every aspect of the zoo needed to be investigated: research, animal collection, entertainment, and education.
The biggest challenge faced by the zoo currently was to raise revenue. "At the moment, our primary income is from the main gates. We are working on ways to attract more visitors and make the zoo more entertaining."
The Johannesburg Zoo also gets funding from the City of Johannesburg, private sponsors and major companies.
This festive season the zoo is running a 10-day holiday programme to entertain and inform children about various animals and aspects of zoo keeping. It also offers guided moonlight tours for visitors to learn about the nocturnal inhabitants. And, every weekend until 11 January, the five-storey tall Hospice Tree of Light will be lit up. A carols-by-candlelight with the Soweto Gospel Choir will also take place on 20 December at 7pm.
The Johannesburg Zoo's education department has worked hard in putting together the December holiday programme. "It will give the public the opportunity to go on tours and get the opportunity to ask questions."
Although Gray comes from a corporate environment, the Johannesburg Zoo appealed to her. "It gives me the opportunity to run a business and do something worthwhile at the same time."
Gray's career spans both the public and private sectors and her last position was as the CEO of the electronic banking division at FNB Corporate Bank.
She holds a number of academic qualifications, including a BSc in civil engineering, an MSc in transportation engineering, an MBA, and a graduate diploma in engineering. Gray is currently completing 14 LLB modules through the University of South Africa and studied psychology at Wits University in 2001.
High on her list of priorities is an information campaign. Gray is concerned the public is not aware of the all activities offered by the Johannesburg Zoo. "The zoo is the premier recreation spot in Joburg and our aim is to encourage people not to forget that."
She is thrilled, for example, at the birth last Friday of a baby camel. "It made for such a wonderful day."
For more information on the various programmes offered by the zoo call Refilwe Mushi on 011 646 2000 ext 225.
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