Gauteng Business 2016 edition

SPECIAL FEATURE
nant economic activity in the
municipality is mining. Mogale
City has a population of around
360 000. While economic activity
within the municipality is comparatively
diversified, manufacturing
and agri-business constitute the
leading economic sectors.
Sedibeng District
Municipality
The administrative headquarters
of the Sedibeng district municipality
are located in Vereeniging.
The municipality covers the whole
eastern side of Gauteng and has
a population of approximately
920 000 residents. Three local
municipalities (Emfuleni, Lesedi
and Midvaal) fall under the jurisdiction
of the Sedibeng District
Municipality. The Emfuleni local
municipality is renowned for iron
and steel manufacturing, which is
based primarily in Vanderbjlpark
and Vereeniging. The local municipality
has a total population of
approximately 720 000 and contains
six large townships: Evaton,
Sebokeng, Sharpeville, Boipatong,
Bophelong and Tshepiso.
The economy in Sedibeng is
dominated by the manufacturing
sector. Major companies such
as Sasol and ArcelorMittal operate
within the district, with the
result that the fabricated metal
and chemical industries dominate
manufacturing activity in the
area. The agriculture and tourism
sectors, on the other hand,
present opportunities to further
local development within the
municipality. The Midvaal local
municipality is home to around
90 000 residents and is regarded as the fastest-growing municipality
in Gauteng.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
The Ekurhuleni metropolitan area includes Germiston, Boksburg,
Benoni, Kempton Park, Brakpan and Springs. Ekurhuleni is home to
approximately 3-million people, and the municipality had a combined
budget of R21.3-billion in the 2012/13 financial year. The municipality
is a focal point for manufacturing within the province, and the manufacturing
enterprises located in the municipal area account for 19.7
percent of Gauteng’s provincial GDP. Despite the level of economic
activity within the metropolitan area, unemployment remains high
(the unemployment rate in the municipality was 28.8 percent in 2011).
The OR Tambo International Airport, South Africa’s premier airport is
situated in Kempton Park, and the OR Tambo International Airport IDZ
is also located within the borders of the metropolitan municipality.
The most recent election of the provincial legislature was held on
7 May 2014, and the African National Congress (ANC) won 53.59% of
the vote, along with a 40-seat majority in the legislature. The official
opposition is the Democratic Alliance, which won 30.78% of the vote
and 23 seats. Other parties represented are the Economic Freedom
Fighters with eight seats, as well as the Freedom Front Plus and the
Inkatha Freedom Party, each holding one seat. Premier David Makhura
of the ANC was elected on 21 May 2014 at the first meeting of the
legislature following that general election.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa (which
has seats in Pretoria and Johannesburg) is a superior court with general
jurisdiction over the province. Johannesburg is also home to the
Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest court, and to a branch of
the Labour Court and the Labour Appeal Court.
25 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016