Gauteng Business 2016 edition

SPECIAL FEATURE
and the metropolitan area’s
combined 2012/13 budget totalled
R37-billion. Approximately
3.9-million individuals reside in
Johannesburg, and the city’s population
is growing at an annual
rate of 1.3 percent. A recent drive
to invigorate the inner city has
resulted in major development.
The City of Johannesburg
is the capital of the Gauteng
province, and the headquarters
of the metropolitan municipality
are located in Braamfontein.
Johannesburg was initially established
as a result of the gold
rush in the 19th century, but has
evolved into a city in which the
financial services industry dominates
business activity. Today,
Johannesburg is regarded as
the financial capital of South
Africa due to the high number
of financial institutions located
within the city.
The JSE, Africa’s largest stock exchange, is situated in the heart
of Johannesburg’s business district, Sandton. Aside from the financial
services industry, other key sectors of the Johannesburg economy
include trade, manufacturing, advertising and information technology.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court is also located in Braamfontein,
Johannesburg.
West Rand District Municipality
The Randfontein local municipality is located adjacent to the North
West province and represents a major entry point for immigration into
Gauteng. Perhaps as a result, the local municipality is renowned for
having high levels of unemployment and poverty, which could also
be an opportunity for businesses in terms of available manpower.
The population of the Randfontein local municipality is estimated at
150 000 people.
The Westonaria local municipality has a total population of
112 000. Approximately 25 000 people are employed in Westonaria,
with the majority of those employed in the mining sector. As a means
to boost economic activity within the municipal area, the local
municipality is looking at creating new industries, research centres
and tourism hotspots.
Randfontein is the administrative centre of the West Rand district
municipality. Approximately 820 000 individuals reside in the district,
23 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016