Gauteng

The province of the Gauteng is one of the nine new provinces of South Africa created at the end of the mode of Apartheid in 1994.

Located formerly in the middle of the Transvaal, it constituted the economic area of the Witwatersrand.

History before 1994

See article detailed on the Transvaal.

Recent history

Called initially its traditional name of Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging, the new province is renamed “Gauteng” (place of gold in tswana) in December 1995.

Demography

Gauteng counts 8 million inhabitants including 73% of blacks and half of the white population of the country, concentrated in Pretoria and in the suburbs of Johannesburg.

Town planning

Gauteng is the most urbanized province of South Africa.

Its main cities are Pretoria the administrative capital of the country and Johannesburg, the economic capital.

It is necessary to also quote Krugersdorp, and largest township of the country, Soweto.

Administrative composition

Gauteng is made up of thirteen municipalities gathered in three metropolises and three municipal districts, the latter representing nine local municipalities:

1. Metropolis of Johannesburg including/understanding the towns of Johannesburg, Midrand, Randburg, Roodepoort, Sandton and the Township S of Alexandra, Lenasia and Soweto.

2. Metropolis of Tshwane including/understanding the towns of Pretoria, Centurion, Irene and townships of Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, Soshanguve.

3. Municipality of Nokeng tsa Taemane including/understanding the town of Cullinan and the townships of Hammanskraal, Refilwe and Zithobeni.

4. Municipality of Kungwini including/understanding the town of Bronkhorstspruit and the townships of Ekangala and Bronberg.

5. Metropolis of Ekurhuleni (East Rand) including/understanding the towns of Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Daveyton, Devon, Germiston, Springs, Edenvale, Nigel, Kempton Park and the townships of Duduza, Impumelelo, Isando, Katlehong, KwaThema, Reiger Park, Tembisa, Thokoza, Tsakane, Vosloorus, Wattville

6. Municipality of Lesedi including/understanding the town of Heidelberg and the township of Ratanda.

7. Municipality of Midvaal including/understanding the town of Meyerton.

8. Municipality of Emfuleni including/understanding the towns of Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging and the townships of Boipatong, Bophelong, Evaton, Sebokeng and Sharpeville 9. Municipality of Westonaria including/understanding the towns of Bekkersdal and Westonaria

10. Municipality of the town of Merafong including/understanding the town of Carletonville and the township of Khutsong.

11. Municipality of Randfontein including/understanding the town of Randfontein and the township of Mohlakeng

12. Municipality of Mogale City (including/understanding the town of Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift and townships of Kagiso and Kromdraai

13. Municipality of West Rand

The municipality of district of Sedibeng includes/understands the local municipalities of Emfuleni, Midvaal and Lesedi.

The municipality of district of Metsweding includes/understands the local municipalities of Kungwini and Nokeng its tae basket.

The municipality of district of West Rand includes/understands the local municipalities of Merafong, Mogale City, Randfontein and Westonaria.

Economy

It is the economic heart of South Africa where are located the principal gold mines, the finance and business districts and the seat of the government.

It is the smallest province with the 18.000 km ² but however richest (40% of the GDP).

Policy

Politically, the province is dominated by the African National congress (ANC) since the first multiracial elections of 1994. Nevertheless, with approximately 1/3 of the votes, the opposition of the democratic Alliance (DA) there carries out its best scores apart from the province of the Cape-Westerner.

The fortified towns of the DA are the old white cities like Pretoria, Centurion and the mining cities afrikaners of the Rand. The ANC dominates in old the townships.

All the municipalities are directed by members of the ANC.

Since the June 15th 1999, the Prime Minister for the province is Mbhazima Shilowa (ANC).

At the time of the municipal elections of March 1st, 2006, all the municipalities and councils were gained by the ANC (average provincial of 62,45%) except for that of Midvaal (Meyerton) gained by the DA (average provincial of 26,39%). In Pretoria, the accumulated score of the DA and that of the Front of freedom bordered the 70% of the votes in the city against only 25% with the ANC which nevertheless gained the municipality.

the Council of district of Sedibeng District: ANC 72,11%
the Council of district of Metsweding District: ANC, 69,26%
West Rand Council District: ANC 65,34%
Ekurhuleni Subway: ANC 61,34%
Nokeng tsa Taemane (Cullinan): ANC 61,61%
Kungwini Municipality (Bronkhorstspruit): ANC 71,91%
Emfuleni (Vereeniging): ANC 76,37 bore
Midvaal (Meyerton): DA 55,7%
Lesedi (Heidelberg): ANC 70,38%
Mogale City (Krugersdorp): 64,91 %
Randfontein : ANC 61,33 %
Westonaria : ANC 72,68%
City off Johannesburg: ANC 62,29%
Tshwane Subway (Pretoria): 56,27%

Tourism

The points of interests of Gauteng are Pretoria, Johannesburg and Soweto.

An alarming insecurity reigning in Johannesburg, the tourists limit themselves to the “white” district of Sandton and to certain museums or attractions of the periphery of the city like Gold Reef City and Apartheid museum.

The visit of Soweto is carried out with local tour operators.

Lastly, the historical city of Pretoria east of an easy access before séjouner or to return from the reserves of Transvaal or of Sun City.

International service road

The principal airport of the province and the country is Johannesburg International Airport (ex- Jan Smuts Airport) which serves as well Johannesburg as Pretoria.

It is the principal main door of the country for the foreigners.

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