Bukelwa Princess Njingolo, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of City Parks and Zoo, has accepted a “Transformation Champion” gong on behalf of the entity at the 18th Annual Oliver Empowerment Awards held recently.
The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is responsible for parks, open spaces, cemeteries and the zoo.
Njingolo was presented with the coveted award, which acknowledges exemplary contributions that drive equity and economic empowerment, in both the public and private sectors.
The awards were hosted by Top Empowerment, an independent entity which recognises major advancements made in boosting black businesses and business people.
“Transforming open spaces from dust bowls to multi-functional play areas with lush-green spaces is a feat like no other. Our work ensures that communities, including women, get to live, work and play in suitable environments,” says Njingolo.
Njingolo was born in March 1969 in the Eastern Cape. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Higher Diploma in Education from Fort Hare University. She also has a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa.
At City Parks and Zoo, she’s responsible for providing strategic direction to the department with a special focus on environment and infrastructure programmes. She is also in charge of identifying and coordinating sustainable programmes, including facilitating the entity’s capital budget to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.
She started working at City Parks in 2002 as a Project Co-ordinator. “This is where I discovered the fulfilment of giving back to nature,” she says.
Njingolo believes that recreational parks make a huge difference in people lives. “They improve self-esteem and worth in communities.”
Written by Karabo Tledima
