4 INTRODUCTION JOHN
4 INTRODUCTION JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY On the edge of the Kalahari Towns: Bankhara-Bodulong, Dibeng, Hotazel, Kathu, Kuruman, Mothibistad, Olifantshoek, Santoy, Van Zylsrus. The John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality is relatively small in size, but in many respects, it is very big indeed. The size of the district’s mining operations (iron ore and manganese) and volumes of material railed to the coast, the extent of its nature reserves, the distance between towns; all of these things contribute to the sense of great size. The tourist lucky enough to be outdoors on a starry night will be in no doubt about the vastness of the Kalahari’s open spaces. Kuruman is the headquarters of local government in this region and contributes 19.7% to the province’s economy. The local spring produces 20-million litres of water every day. Most agricultural activity is limited to grazing and Boer goats are a popular breed among farmers, although game hunting is growing. The Sishen iron-ore mine outside Kathu is a vast undertaking, providing employment for thousands of people. Samancor’s Mamatwan and Wessels manganese mines and plants are situated at Hotazel. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES COVERED IN GREATER DETAIL IN THIS PROSPECTUS INCLUDE • Kathu Industrial Park • Mini-conference centres The mining industry is supporting the moves to build the Kathu Industrial Park as a viable hub for support services and for various kinds of manufacturing. Enormous potential exists in ancillary fields and Country Hotels has shown that the potential in the tourism sector goes beyond high-end safaris. Kuruman has a Country Hotel, an Inn and a Lodge, indicating that there is scope for both business and leisure travel operators in the district. Developing the conference centre market will bolster that trend. LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY John Taleo Gaetsewe District Municipality is the Northern Cape’s northernmost district. The eastern part of the district lies on the Ghaap Plateau, which stretches from the Kuruman Hills eastward to the Harts River and is about 1 130m above sea level. The northern part of the district encompasses the southern extent of the Kalahari and its north-western border is shared with Botswana. To the north and east is the North West Province of South Africa. The most southern settlement within the district, Olifantshoek, is situated within both the Savanna and Nama-Karoo biomes and is a semi-arid region which displays characteristics of both landscapes. The N14 links the district’s major towns and is the connection between Upington in the south-west and Vryburg (North West) to the north-east. The district has an established rail network from Sishen South and between Black Rock and Dibeng. Agriculture, mining and tourism are the main economic sectors. DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY INFORMATION The John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality is a Category C municipality. Municipal headquarters: Kuruman Postal address: PO Box 1480, Kuruman 8460 Physical address: 4 Federale Mynbou Street, Kuruman Tel: +27 53 712 8700 Website: www.taologaetsewe.gov.za
5 STATISTICS JOHN TAOLO GAETSEWE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY MUNICIPAL AREA MAIN TOWNS NUMBER OF WARDS AREA PERCENTAGE OF DISTRICT Ga-Segonyana Bankhara/Bodulong, Kuruman, Mothibistadt 15 4 495km² 16.45% Gamagara Deben/Dibeng, Kathu, Olifantshoek 8 2 648km² 9.69% Joe Morolong Hotazel Blackrock (Santoy), Vanzylsrus 15 20 180km² 73.86% John Taolo Gaetsewe District Kathu, Kuruman, Vanzylsrus 28 27 323km² 100% SNAPSHOT OF JOHN GAETSEWE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY The total population for John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality was estimated at 224 799 people dispersed across three municipalities in 2011, while in 2016 the population was estimated at 242 264 as per the table below: Municipality 2011 2016 Gamagara 41 617 53 656 Ga-Segonyana 93 651 104 408 Joe Morolong 89 530 84 201 John Taolo Gaetsewe District 224 799 242 264 The John Taolo Gaetsewe District is expected to grow at an annual growth rate of 1.99%, based on the present age-gender structure and the present fertility, mortality and migration rates. If growth rate continues, then the total anticipated population size in 2025 is expected to be 313 350.
