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Gauteng Business 2016 edition

  • Text
  • Manufacturing
  • Mining
  • Development
  • Investment
  • Business
  • Network
  • Gauteng
  • Economic
  • Province
  • Provincial
  • Infrastructure
  • Economy
  • Automotive
  • Sector
  • African
  • Johannesburg
The 2016 edition of the Gauteng Business and Investment Guide is the premier business and investment guide for the Gauteng province and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA). In addition to detailed profiles of key provincial organisations, including the GGDA, the Automotive Industry Development Corporation Centre (AIDC), the Gauteng Investment Centre, the Gauteng IDZ, the Gauteng ICT Park SEZ and Constitution Hill, this edition includes well-researched economic and demographic data on the province, as well as insights into the province’s five development corridors and the new industries and development nodes in these corridors; a focus on Gauteng as a global city region; and key growth sectors for the province.

SPECIAL FEATURE South

SPECIAL FEATURE South Africa’s currency unit is the rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents (c). Rands are available as banknotes in R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 denominations, while coins come in denominations of R1, R2 and R5, as well as 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c. Geography The dynamic province offers investors great opportunities through multiple locations for industrial and commercial business and well-developed infrastructure, to maximise your investment spend. The Gauteng economy is also a major player in Africa, accounting for 10 percent of the GDP of the entire African continent. With GDP valued at R811-billion (US2-billion), the province contributes as much as 33.9% percent of South Africa’s total national economic output. Currency and the cost of living Despite the large scale of economic activity within the province, the cost of living is still relatively low in major cities like Johannesburg in comparison to first world cities such as London — with food, luxury items, services and electronics as much as 50 percent cheaper. There are no foreign currency restrictions for people entering South Africa. Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so it is best to check updated figures, although travellers from the USA, Asia and Europe enjoy favourable exchange rates. The Vaal River forms a natural border with the Free State, which lies south of Gauteng, while the North West province is located to the west, Limpopo to the north and Mpumalanga to the east. The geography of Gauteng includes low parallel ridges, mountain ranges and undulating hills. Johannesburg is the capital of the Gauteng province, while Pretoria (also situated in Gauteng) is the administrative capital of South Africa. Other major urban areas include Roodepoort and Krugersdorp to the west of Johannesburg; and Germiston, Springs, Benoni and Brakpan to the east. Soweto, renowned as a focal point in the struggle against apartheid and home to more than 2-million people, is situated south of Johannesburg. Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province, occupying just 1.4 percent of the total land area of South Africa. The province is located in the Highveld region of South Africa, approximately 1 700 metres above sea-level. It is a landlocked province, surrounded by four other provinces. Language and people The most widely spoken languages in Gauteng are isiZulu, English, Afrikaans and Sesotho, with 19.8 percent, 13.3 percent, 12.4 percent and 11.6 percent of the provincial population speaking these languages in their homes, respectively. English is the main language of commerce. In addition to the most prevalent languages, all of South Africa’s remaining official languages are spoken in Gauteng, together with a diverse range of international languages including Mandarin, Swahili, French, Portuguese and German. The Gauteng province is home to a vibrant and diverse population, reflected in a multitude GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016 16

SPECIAL FEATURE of races, religions, cultures and ethnicities. More than 12-million people live within the province’s borders, accounting for almost one quarter (23.7 percent) of the total South African population. Admin The South African Constitution provides for three levels of local government: metropolitan, district and local. Gauteng is divided into three metropolitan municipalities: City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. In turn, there are two district municipalities within the boundaries of the province, which are divided further into a number of local municipalities as follows: • Sedibend District Municipality (Emfuleni, Lesedi, Midvaal) • West Rand District Municipality (Mogale City, Merafong City, Randfontein, Westonaria, District Management Area). Provincial powers In accordance with the South African Constitution, each province has its own government, with parliamentary power vested in a provincial legislature and executive power entrenched in the Premier and exercised in collaboration with the other members of a Provincial Executive Council. Based at the Johannesburg City Hall, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature is made up of between 30 and 80 members who are elected for a five-year term, with the number of seats awarded to each political party being proportional to the outcome of the provincial election. The Members of Provincial Legislature are divided into 14 committees according to the distribution of political parties. The committees assemble regularly to debate and pass Bills (proposed legislation), and to interact with Provincial Government Departments. Strategic priorities The provincial government’s policy agenda is complemented by a number of strategic priorities: • Stimulating rural development and food security. • Intensifying the fight against crime and corruption. • Promoting quality education and skills development. • Creating decent work and building a growing, inclusive economy. • Improving healthcare for all. GAUTENG PROVINCE North West N1 Limpopo Hammanskraal Mpumalanga N1 Cullinan PRETORIA Mamelodi Ekangala N4 Zithobeni N4 Centurion N4 Atteridgeville Bronkhorstspruit Irene N1 N14 R21 Magaliesburg Midrand Muldersdrift Tembisa N12 Sandton Alexandra Krugersdorp Randburg Kempton Park Roodepoort Isando Benoni Edenvale N14 Randfontein N12 JOHANNESBURG Kagiso Boksburg Daveyton Mohlakeng Germiston Wattville Brakpan Soweto Alberton Bekkersdal Reiger Park KwaThema Lenasia Katlehong N12 Springs Westonaria Vosloorus Devon N1 Tokoza Tsakane Duduza N17 Nigel R59 N3 Heidelberg Evaton Ratanda Meyerton Sebokeng Boipatong Vereeneging Bophelong Vanderbijlpark Sharpeville Mpumalanga N1 Free State N3 17 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016

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