The Jock of the Bushveld sculpture has been moved from the Johannesburg Hospital to the more suitable gardens of the zoo.

The Jock of the Bushveld sculpture has a new home in the Johannesburg Zoo

THE centenary Jock of the Bushveld sculpture has found a new home; it now resides at the heart of the Johannesburg Zoo, where thousands of visitors can see the famous, historical work of art.

Children from Naturena Primary School were on hand to witness the statue's unveiling at the zoo on Friday, 25 January. "We are happy to be joined by the children today because these are the very children we want to educate and make aware of nature and animals," said Dr Stephen van der Spuy, the acting chief executive of the zoo.

Van der Spuy explained that the zoo was very excited to have Jock, saying it would install more such sculptures in the future. "We will have Max the Gorilla coming to our zoo soon, and we are happy about that. We just need to finalise the finances first."

The Jock of the Bushveld sculpture was commissioned in 1992 by the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust, which asked Laurence Chait to cast the statue as part of the commemorations of Parktown's centenary. Although there was not much bushveld left in Parktown, Jock belonged in the suburb because it was at his home, Hohenheim, that author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick first began telling children the exciting tales of the adventures he had as a transport rider, accompanied by his faithful canine companion.

Sir Percy Fitzpatrick's great grand-daughter Sallyann Niven and Flo Bird, chairperson of the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust

It was erected in the garden among the rocks in front of the Johannesburg Hospital, unveiled on site on 11 November 1992 by the actor, Jonathan Rands, who played Fitzpatrick in the movie about Jock.

"The hospital was a good place for Jock because when sick children came for treatment they had a positive thing to look at," said Den Adams, the vice-chairperson of the Parktown and Westcliff Heritage Trust.

However, it became dangerous to keep a sculpture of this calibre outside. "It was then that we decided to look at other significant places to safely place Jock."

A few years ago an attempt was made to steal Jock; a security guard noticed that the two hind legs had been sawn through. It was repaired by the hospital's maintenance staff and moved inside the entrance of the hospital, where it was forlornly out of place.

Since the sculpture could no longer stand among the grasses at the hospital it was decided that the Johannesburg Zoo would be a more suitable home.

"The zoo is particularly good for Jock because so many people visit [it] and the visitors are likely to understand the significance of having Jock around," Adams said.

A suitable place for the sculpture: Saggie Pillay, CEO of the Joburg Hospital, Lawrence Chait, professor at Parklane Clinic, and Dr Stephen van der Spuy, acting CEO of the zoo at the unveiling

Also speaking at the unveiling, Saggie Pillay, the chief executive of the Johannesburg Hospital, said that he was delighted Jock had found a home at the zoo. "I think it's a suitable place for Jock."

Although people saw the sculpture at the hospital, many more would see it at the zoo. "I also think it's important for South Africans who made a difference to be remembered. I hope the younger generation appreciate these people and their significance."

Johannesburg Zoo is open seven days a week, from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Entrance, however, closes at 4pm. Adults pay R34 and children between the ages of three and 12 years old pay R21.

The zoo is on Jan Smuts Avenue, in Parkview. The main entrance is in Upper Park Drive, Forest Town. For more information, telephone 011 646 2000.

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