Mothers young and old enjoyed the 17th annual Mothers' Day Concert at the Zoo, featuring the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and conductor Richard Cock.

The annual Mother's Day Concert at the Zoo featured Thabo Mdluli and Sisters Sentimental

JOZI'S warm autumn sun shone upon hordes of joyful mothers yesterday, who relaxed on the lush green lawns of the Johannesburg Zoo, enjoying picnics to the sounds of the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra.

The occasion was the annual Mothers' Day Concert at the Zoo, now in its 17th year, run by Talk Radio 702 and BP. The orchestra performed under the baton of conductor Richard Cock. Mothers' Day was on Sunday, 11 May.

Soloists included gospel artist Thabo Mdluli, who has off recently ventured into soulful pop, Sisters Sentimental and Nicholas Nicholaidis, and the programme focused on several durable classics.

Families set up large umbrellas and comfortable camp chairs, in turn eating, listening to the music and strolling around the zoo to check out its friendly inhabitants.

Earlier, Sandra Hlungwani, the zoo's public relations and marketing officer, urged Joburgers to bring their mothers for a leisurely day at the zoo, to "make mom feel like a queen for a day". The Mother's Day Concert at the Zoo was an annual highlight on the city's calendar.

"The concert is a firm favourite with our listeners," said Pheladi Gwangwa, the radio station's station manager. It allowed families to take some leisurely time out, "where they can spend time with friends and family in a safe and secure environment".

And the mothers in the crowd seemed delighted with the treat. "It was a Mothers' Day to remember," said one happy mom.

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