Socio Economic - Transnet

Socio-Economic Impact Assessment1 IntroductionThe aim of this document is to provide a socio-demographic profile that captures the relevantcharacteristics of Davel and surrounding areas that will be affected by the Transnet-Swazi Rail Link.This baseline socio-economic profile of the study area will be developed through a desktop review ofavailable documentation and will address the following aspects:• The regional setting of the study area;• A socio-economic profile of the population residing in the study area;• Existing land uses and infrastructure in the vicinity of the project-related infrastructure andalong the proposed railway line routes; and• Possible risks and benefits regarding the proposed undertaking when considering the abovementioned aspects.2 Regional SettingThe study area of this project, as indicated in Map 1, relates to the areas directly affected by thealignment of the Transnet - Swazi Rail link as well as all associated infrastructure. The rail linktraverses the provinces of Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal, starting at the Davel Shunting Yard inMpumalanga. This will form the main focus of this study. The areas affected in the neighbouringcountry of Swaziland will be excluded from this study.Map 1: Swazi Rail Link Alignment5 July 2013 Page 6