August 13, 2003
By Jonews Reporter
THE Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Zoo, Thembi Mogoai, has resigned and will leave the zoo at the end of October.
She is to pursue private business interests. Her replacement has not yet been appointed.
A statement from the zoo lists the achievements during her term of office as:
- an increase in visitor numbers;
- a fully-functional restaurant;
- an increase of “retained income better than budget”; and
- the establishment of a South African Research Centre at the Zoo (a collaborative project with the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha and the Hillsdale College in Michigan).
"Thembi has made a significant contribution to making the Johannesburg Zoo a world-class African Zoo. Her positive contribution to ensuring that the Johannesburg Zoo participated in local and international associations at executive level is noted with pride," said councillor Nkele Ntingane, chairperson of the Municipal Enterprises Portfolio Committee. She wished Mogoai well for the future.
The Chairperson of the Board of Director of the Zoo, Litha Nyhoyha also praised her contribution to the Zoo: "Thembi . . . has, to a large extent, calmed the stormy waters that were raging at the Johannesburg Zoo before her arrival. It was with sadness and disappointment that I accepted her resignation. But we live in dynamic and challenging times. Young leaders like her have endless opportunities that they get invited to on a regular basis. The entire Johannesburg Zoo family will surely miss her bubbly and enthusiastic attitude towards her job."
Mogoai was appointed to CEO in 2000.
