West Rand District Municipality

INVEST AND TOUR IN THE WEST RAND

West Rand District Municipality is a local authority comprising of the three (3) municipalities, Mogale City, Rand West City and Merafong City. It is a unique area with special economic opportunities and home to the Cradle Of Humankind - A World Heritage Site.

From the majestic Magaliesberg Mountain Range in the north and along the meandering Crocodile River, a tapestry of resorts and activities await, where tranquility restores the soul and the adventurer can stretch the limits...

This region is gaining increasing popularity and, as ever more discoveries are made, prepares to welcome the world to the Gateway to the Cradle of Humankind! Here, strangers become friends and visits result in lasting memories. From near and far, people are coming to learn of the golden spectacles of The West Rand often returning many times for weekend visits.

West Rand is less than 45 minutes’ drive along excellent highways from Sandton, (N1), Pretoria (R28), and Johannesburg, as well as international and local airports.

With the Lanseria International Airport located close by, business potential has increased with many exports being undertaken with the streamlined efficiencies of the airport – unlike the OR Tambo airport, there is no backlog and customs here is relatively smooth.

Many emerging farmers are stationed in the area and there are developing opportunities in the SMME agricultural and related sectors and the region is in close proximity to the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market.

A number of mining houses resides in the West Rand and this provides a lot of opportunities for forward and backward linkages and the establishment of downstream-gold activities such as refinery, jewellery manufacturing and purification of mine water. This is the area that has the deepest gold mine in the world with a depth of more than 3.9km below the surface.

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, Wonderfontein Caves, Magaliesberg Express, Magaliesberg Wilderness area and more than 50 golf courses all offer a tremendous developmental infrastructure and promising developmental phase to the emerging business sector for budding entrepreneurs. The Cultural and Heritage tourism sector and weekend getaway target audiences are the primary focus into tourism in the region. The Magaliesberg area is frequented by the business and leisure tourists who either need to pop in for a quick getaway or look for a venue close

to the hub of Sandton. The proximity of the region to Johannesburg attracts the Cultural tour segment, both from local and international tourists. The route to Sun City and the Pilanesberg traverses the district and this often leads to the introduction of passer’s by to returning to the region for lengthier stays.

One of the newer elements in tourism which has evolved in the last ten years is the Nature and Adventure Tourism segment. The district is ideally positioned to promote this particular segment to the Gauteng market and geographically is strategically positioned to maximize the potential of this particular sector. The WRDM has undertaken studies on the potential of this segment and have become involved in promoting the small and micro enterprise projects focusing on this segment and in turn this translates to an increase in the regional contribution to the provincial economy.

Many farms are scattered around the area where emerging and existing farmers have turned their farms into vacation resorts for weekend getaways. It is indeed an experience that no one would like to miss. Plans are afoot to host town to town race marathons as well as the Cradle of humankind Camino. The district and its constituent municipalities is on a path to revitalize the economy after the negative impact caused by covid-19 and its historical dependency on mining. The abundance of land for development availed by mining houses create a conducive environment for potential investors in our region. Our partnership with the private sector will assist in the creation of the much needed jobs and we therefore invite more investors in our region. Our financial challenges do not supersedes the economic opportunities prevailing in our region. Our robust financial management that has resulted in Unqualified audit opinions over the years attest to our commitment for clean governance A number of economic initiatives that are on the pipeline such as Bokamoso ba rona, the West Rand Mega park, agriparks and the Special Economic Zone confirm our intentions to turn our economy around.