The Gauteng government has announced three interventions to change the space and structure of the economy of the province in order to address unemployment, poverty and inequality.

Speaking during the State of the Province Address on Monday, Premier David Makhura announced the reconfiguration the Gauteng City Region’s space and economy along five development corridors that have distinct industries and different comparative advantages.

Transforming the landscape

In order to change human settlement patterns over the next five years, 140 000 housing units will be built in Lion Park, Diepsloot East, Fleurhof, Cosmo City, Malibongwe Ridge and Goud Rand.

In addition, working with the private sector and the City of Johannesburg, there are plans to transform the spatial landscape of the Central Corridor, which includes Masingita City, Reitfontein, Waterfall City, Modderfontein City and Steyn City.

Masingita City, an integrated commercial and industrial hub, is a R3-billion private investment that will create 15 500 jobs during the construction stage and approximately 10 000 jobs during its full operation.

It will also contribute to the township economy revitalisation by supporting township enterprises and SMMEs in Soweto, Lenasia and Bekkersdal/Randfontein.

The first phase of construction will commence in March this year, according to Premier Makhura.

Rietfontein is a complete mixed-use node with more than 8 000 proposed residential units, including commercial property, distribution and warehousing, retail and education facilities.

This investment is estimated at R20 billion and has the potential to create 17 000 jobs during the construction phase and beyond.

Waterfall City will be the largest city to be built in post-apartheid South Africa.  The estimated investment during construction is R71 billion, with an estimated 100 000 jobs to be created by the project.

The Modderfontein development will inject R84 billion into the economy of the Gauteng City Region and is expected to create 150 000 jobs over the next 20 years.

The Eastern Development Corridor

Turning to the Eastern Development Corridor, Premier Makhura announced that they will be undertaking 29 industrial initiatives under the banner of the Aerotropolis to revitalise manufacturing, aviation, transport and logistics industries linked to OR Tambo International Airport.

“This will dramatically transform the current industrial structure of the economy of Ekurhuleni,” Premier Makhura told the legislature.

The footprint of the Aerotropolis will also cover Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg and Wonderboom Airport in Tshwane.

Among the projects in the corridor will be the Tambo Springs Inland Port
Development with an estimated R7.5-billion investment over five years.

This project will create a total of 110 000 jobs over 15 years.

To further change the spatial geography of this corridor, the provincial government will roll out the Bus Rapid Transit System in Ekurhuleni, whose first phase will be operational by March next year.

In order to change the human settlements paradigm, more than 100 000 housing units will be delivered over the next five years in areas such as Chief Albert Luthuli, John Dube Extension 2, Tsakane Extension 22, Germiston South, Leeuwpoort, Rietfontein and Clayville Extension 45.

The Northern Development Corridor

Turning to the Northern Corridor, the administrative capital of the country, Premier Makhura said working with the City of Tshwane, they will develop the West Capital development project, which will include the development of a student village, sport incubatory centre, retail and commercial components, inner city housing and health facilities.

This will be in addition to the development of the African Gateway in the heart of Centurion in partnership with the private sector, which will comprise the biggest Convention Centre, a massive hotel, residential, commercial and additional office space.

Click here to read Part 1.