For many years, Johannesburg's wonderful parks have contributed to its appeal as a tourist destination.
However, there have been panics recently after several social media posts said the City is planning to sell its cherished community spaces.West Park Cemetery, Botanical Gardens, and the Emerentia Dam were among the properties that were said to be up for sale.
The good news is that residents and tourists can rest assured that the city will still manage the popular recreational spaces.
Joburg Property Company General Manager Sizeka Tshabalala has denied claims that the city is selling its recreational parks and sports facilities.
Speaking to Jacaranda FM, Tshabalala said: "There's been this misconception that JPC has plans to sell these properties for the development of low-cost housing. There is no truth in all those allegations."
The manager said the big issue has been the lease contract agreements.
"We have looked at the number of these properties, which some have leases as old as 30 years," Tshabalala told Jacaranda FM.
He told Jacaranda FM that the city's Killarney Golf Club lease agreement stipulates rental income of as little as R2, and for Marks Park, the city receives R49 per annum.
"So if you look at all those terms of the agreement, you can see that that doesn't make any business sense. So it is incumbent on us as JPC to ensure that we look at and revise the terms of leases on these properties."
Tshabalala has encouraged the public to keep visiting the recreational spaces.
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo oversees over 2000 parks, the Johannesburg zoo, 35 cemeteries and the Johannesburg Botanical Garden.
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