DEVELOPMENT
Growing the Vaal River economy The development of the Vaal region places an emphasis on projects that entail the development of tourism related to the Vaal River precinct and waterfront. It also entails the urban renewal of centres such as Evaton, Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging.
T
he Vaal development initiative is a cross-border agreement between municipalities in Southern Gauteng and the northern Free State to work together to develop a regional economy around both banks of the Vaal River. The former Vaal Triangle was an example of a regional economy based around the Vaal River. The new initiative brings together the existing industries and natural resources that exist in this regional economy and revitalise the economic contribution of this well-located region.
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REBIRTH OF THE VAAL
The municipalities involved from the Gauteng side are Sedibeng District Municipality and Lesedi, Emfuleni and Midvaal local municipalities, while the Free State is represented by Fezile Dabi District Municipality and Metsimahole, Ngwathe, Mafube and Moqhaka local municipalities. The initiative covers numerous towns, such as Heidelberg, Ratanda, Meyerton, Vaal Marina, Sharpeville, Boipatong, Sebokeng, Bophelong, Deneysville, Oranjeville, Parys, Tumahole, Vredefort, Sasolburg, Zamdela, Kroonstad, Villiers and Frankfort. These towns are situated on either side of the Vaal River.
Economically, industrial growth in the region is concentrated around electricity, coal, steel and petrochemicals. Agriculture is a significant economic sector, while tourism and the diamond industry are growing. Significant rail, road and pipeline corridors run through the area, connecting it with the rest of South Africa and the continent. The area has a rich history that spans many ages. Significant historical sites include the prehistoric Vredefort Dome, which is the largest meteorite site in the world; Redan rock art and various Bushmen paintings from the iron age; major sites of the Anglo-Boer War, including the site of the war-ending Treaty of Vereeniging; and major liberation struggle sites, since the area was home to the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, the Boipatong massacre in 1992, as well as Vaal uprisings in 1984.
Flagship Projects The overarching Vaal development programme will be driven through a series of flagship
