Gauteng Business 2025

GAUTENG
BUSINESS
2025 EDITION
THE GUIDE TO BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT
IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE
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CONTENTS
Gauteng Business 2025 Edition
Introduction
Foreword 4
A unique guide to business and investment in Gauteng.
Special features
Regional overview of Gauteng 6
Investment is flowing into South Africa’s economic heartland as
sectors like tourism and conferencing recover, and the province
turns to renewable energy.
Special Economic Zones 8
A vital component of national and provincial policy to drive
inclusive growth.
Gauteng Growth and Development Agency 10
Key strategies of the GGDA to boost infrastructure and encourage
investment.
Economic sectors
Mining 20
Platinum is attracting investors.
Energy 22
Roof pergolas have solved a solar problem.
Agriculture 26
Innovation is improving agriculture.
Oil and gas 27
A gas turbine has been recommissioned.
Manufacturing 28
Concrete growth expands to eSwatini.
Construction and property 30
A construction programme offers skills training.
Transport and logistics 32
Logistics hubs are key to growth.
Tourism 34
The Big Four attract thousands of visitors.
Education and training 36
Solar skills are in short supply.
ICT 37
Gauteng data centres to be powered
by Free State sun.
Development finance
and SMME support 38
Provincial government is procuring
from small businesses.
Banking and financial
services 39
Taxis are going digital.
References
Key sector contents 18
Overviews of the main economic
sectors of Gauteng.
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
2

FOREWORD
Gauteng Business
A unique guide to business and investment in Gauteng.
Credits
Publishing director:
Chris Whales
Editor: John Young
Managing director: Clive During
Online editor: Christoff Scholtz
Designer: Tyra Martin
Production:
Ashley van Schalkwyk
Project manager: Chris Hoffman
Account managers:
Shepherd Mugero
Sadiyah February
Dwaine Rigby
Gabriel Venter
Vanessa Wallace
Sam Oliver
Administration & accounts:
Charlene Steynberg
Kathy Wootton
Sharon Angus-Leppan
Distribution and circulation
manager: Edward MacDonald
Printing: FA Print
The 2025 edition of Gauteng Business is the 15th issue of this highly
successful publication that has established itself as the premier
business and investment guide for the Gauteng Province.
In addition to the regular articles providing insight into each of the
key economic sectors of the province, a special feature on the national and
provincial policies underpinning Special Economic Zones is included in this
edition. SEZs form an important part of the strategy of the Gauteng Growth
and Development Agency (GGDA) in promoting sustainable economic
growth across the province’s designated development corridors. This edition
of Gauteng Business is supported by the GGDA, which is the implementation
arm of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
All of the main economic sectors of the provincial economy are reviewed,
ranging from agriculture, transport and logistics, energy and manufacturing
through to education and training. A plan to develop a large solar farm in the
western reaches of Gauteng is proceeding, with mining company Sibanye-
Stillwater having made land available for the project and various contractors having
been identified to carry the project forward. In addition, the Provincial Government
of Gauteng has revived an inner-city open-cycle-gas turbine and has begun a
programme of equipping schools and medical clinics with solar panels.
To complement the extensive local, national and international distribution
of the print edition, the full content can also be viewed online at www.
globalafricanetwork.com under e-books. Updated information on Gauteng
is also available through our monthly e-newsletter, which you can subscribe
to online at www.gan.co.za, in addition to our complementary business-tobusiness
titles that cover all nine provinces as well as our flagship South African
Business title and the new addition to our list of titles, The Journal of African
Business, which was launched in 2020. ■
Chris Whales
Publisher, Global Africa Network Media | Email: chris@gan.co.za
DISTRIBUTION
Gauteng Business is distributed internationally on outgoing
and incoming trade missions, through trade and investment
agencies; to foreign offices in South Africa’s main trading
partners around the world; at top national and international
events; through the offices of foreign representatives in
South Africa; as well as nationally and regionally via chambers
of commerce, tourism offices, airport lounges, provincial
government departments, municipalities and companies.
Member of the Audit Bureau
of Circulations
PUBLISHED BY
Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd
Company Registration No: 2004/004982/07
Directors: Clive During, Chris Whales
Physical address: 28 Main Road, Rondebosch 7700
Postal address: PO Box 292, Newlands 7701
Tel: +27 21 657 6200 | Fax: +27 21 674 6943
Email: info@gan.co.za | Website: www.gan.co.za
ISSN 1990-0621
COPYRIGHT | Gauteng Business is an independent publication
published by Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. Full copyright to the
publication vests with Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd. No part
of the publication may be reproduced in any form without the written
permission of Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd.
PHOTO CREDITS | Cover: top left, at the airport, ACSA; mine conveyor
belt, Petra Diamonds; diamond, De Beers; Time Square at Menlyn
Maine, Sun International; Soweto towers, Joburg Tourism; FNB Stadium,
Boogertman + Partners. Body of journal: ABC Ventilation; Africa Data
Centres; Colossal Concrete Products; Burstone Group; GGDA; Gauteng
Provincial Government; Forge Academy & Labs; Joburg Tourism Company;
The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit & International Convention Centre; Vukile
Makau on Pexels; Riverfields Precinct; Sibanye-Stillwater; SolarSaver; Soutpan
Solar; SPAR North Rand; The Innovation Hub.
DISCLAIMER | While the publisher, Global Africa Network Media (Pty) Ltd, has
used all reasonable efforts to ensure that the information contained in Gauteng
Business is accurate and up-to-date, the publishers make no representations as
to the accuracy, quality, timeliness, or completeness of the information. Global
Africa Network will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a
result of the use of or any reliance placed on such information.

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| | 10 REASONS
WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN SOUTH AFRICA
01.
HOT EMERGING
MARKET
Growing middle class, affluent consumer
base, excellent returns on investment.
02.
MOST DIVERSIFIED
ECONOMY IN AFRICA
South Africa (SA) has the most industrialised economy in Africa.
It is the region’s principal manufacturing hub and a leading
services destination.
LARGEST PRESENCE OF MULTINATIONALS
ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT
SA is the location of choice of multinationals in Africa.
03.
Global corporates reap the benefits of doing business in
SA, which has a supportive and growing ecosystem as a
hub for innovation, technology and fintech.
05.
FAVOURABLE ACCESS TO
GLOBAL MARKETS
ADVANCED FINANCIAL SERVICES
& BANKING SECTOR
SA has a sophisticated banking sector with a major
footprint in Africa. It is the continent’s financial hub,
with the JSE being Africa’s largest stock exchange by
market capitalisation.
The African Continental Free Trade Area will boost
intra-African trade and create a market of over one
billion people and a combined gross domestic product
(GDP) of USD2.2-trillion that will unlock industrial
development. SA has several trade agreements in
place as an export platform into global markets.
07.
YOUNG, EAGER LABOUR FORCE
09.
SA has a number of world-class universities and colleges
producing a skilled, talented and capable workforce. It
boasts a diversified skills set, emerging talent, a large pool
of prospective workers and government support for training
and skills development.
04.
06.
08.
PROGRESSIVE
CONSTITUTION
& INDEPENDENT
JUDICIARY
SA has a progressive Constitution and an independent judiciary. The
country has a mature and accessible legal system, providing certainty
and respect for the rule of law. It is ranked number one in Africa for the
protection of investments and minority investors.
ABUNDANT NATURAL
RESOURCES
SA is endowed with an abundance of natural resources. It is the leading producer
of platinum-group metals (PGMs) globally. Numerous listed mining companies
operate in SA, which also has world-renowned underground mining expertise.
WORLD-CLASS
INFRASTRUCTURE
AND LOGISTICS
A massive governmental investment programme in infrastructure development
has been under way for several years. SA has the largest air, ports and logistics
networks in Africa, and is ranked number one in Africa in the World Bank’s
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10.
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EXCELLENT QUALITY
OF LIFE
Page | 2
719
SOUTH SOUTH AFRICAN AFRICAN BUSINESS BUSINESS 20232020

A REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF
GAUTENG
Ballooning near the Cradle of Humankind, a short hop from Muldersdrift.
Investment is flowing into South Africa’s economic heartland as
sectors like tourism and conferencing recover, and the province
turns to renewable energy.
By John Young
Muldersdrift might not be the first name
that comes to mind as a conference
venue of national significance, but
Gauteng is full of surprises.
Of the nine venues listed by the South African
National Conventions Bureau as having secured
25 international business events between 2024
and 2029, four are in Gauteng – and one of them
is Muldersdrift. The others are predictably the three
metropolitan municipalities of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni
and Johannesburg.
The 25 big conferences will generate R240-million
for the South African economy and will help the
country retain its top ranking in Africa and the Middle
East on the 2023 list compiled by the International
Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
Muldersdrift is a short distance north-west of
Johannesburg, near Lanseria Airport and it forms
part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage
Site. The Wonder Cave nearby is one the finest
hominid fossil sites in the world and with 30
wedding and conference venues, a brewery and
the Silverstar Casino and Entertainment Centre run
by Tsogo Sun, Muldersdrift has much for visitors and
delegates to experience and enjoy.
The metropolitan conference and exhibition
centres are able to offer bigger meeting halls and
venues such as the Sandton Convention Centre and
Gallagher Estate, which often host large gatherings.
The Gauteng Convention Bureau, a business unit
within the Gauteng Tourism Authority, supports the
business-events sector.
Among the biggest events hosted in Gauteng
was the series of five annual South Africa
Investment Conferences, the fifth of which was
held in 2023. Some R1.1-trillion was pledged
altogether, of which about R22-billion will find its
way to Gauteng.
In the course of the 2023/24 financial year,
more than R68-billion in investments from 261
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
6
PHOTO: Guvon Hotels/Kloofzicht Lodge

SPECIAL FEATURE
foreign companies were made in the province,
which created about 23 000 direct jobs. As of
February 2023, about five-million people were
employed in Gauteng.
Gauteng accounts for 45% of South Africa’s
manufacturing capacity and the sector makes up
14.5% of formal sector output in Gauteng, making it
the fourth-largest. One in nine jobs in the province
are created in the sector. According to the Gauteng
Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), six out
of 10 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in
Gauteng have flowed to the manufacturing sector
and its subsectors.
The GGDA is an implementing agency which
aims to facilitate business enablement, develop
small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and
promote investment and job creation.
Focussed support for these specific subsectors
is intended to spur other investments: automotive
sector, mineral beneficiation, capital equipment,
agro-processing, pharmaceuticals and tertiary
services such as BPO, ITC services, tourism and the
knowledge economy.
GGDA subsidiaries include The Innovation
Hub (technology), the Automotive Industry
Development Centre (AIDC), which manages the
Automotive Supplier Park (ASP), OR Tambo SEZ, Vaal
SEZ and Constitution Hill.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA)
plays a similar role as the City of Johannesburg’s
development agency. JDA’s focus is on helping
create resilient, sustainable and liveable urban areas
in identified transit nodes and corridors. In 15 years,
387 projects have been implemented.
Growth engine
Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province in terms
of landmass but in every other respect it is a giant.
At 18 176km², the province makes up just 1.5% of
South Africa’s territory but its economic impact
is disproportionately large. In 2023 the provincial
economy was valued at R2.4-trillion and the
province was responsible for 34% of South Africa’s
gross domestic product (GDP).
Gauteng is a leader in a wide range of
economic sectors: finance, manufacturing,
commerce, IT and media among them. The Bureau
of Market Research (BMR) has shown that Gauteng
accounts for 35% of total household consumption
in South Africa.
The leading economic sectors are finance, real
estate and business, manufacturing, government
services and wholesale, retail, motor trade and
accommodation. The creative industries (including
advertising and the film sector) contribute
significantly to the provincial economy.
In Johannesburg, financial services and
commerce predominate. The JSE, Africa’s largest
stock exchange, is in Sandton and several new
stock exchanges have recently received licences.
Tshwane (which includes Pretoria) is home to
many government services and is the base of the
automotive industry and many research institutions.
Both of these cities are educational centres of note.
The Ekurhuleni metropole has the largest
concentration of manufacturing concerns, ranging
from heavy to light industry, in the country. The
western part of the province is concerned mainly
with mining and agriculture, while the south has a
combination of maize farming, tobacco production
and the heavy industrial work associated with steel
and iron-ore workings.
Individually, the biggest Gauteng cities contribute
to the national GDP as follows: Johannesburg (15%),
Tshwane (9%) and Ekurhuleni (7%).
Power plans
Although the national utility Eskom improved its
performance markedly in the course of 2024, steps
to increase and reduce the cost of electricity are
being put in place. The need to transition to greener
sources of energy is also urgent.
The biggest of these is the private-public
partnership taking place on land belonging to
Sibanye-Stillwater, a global resources company that
started life as a Gauteng gold miner. A photovoltaic
power station, also known as a solar farm cluster, will
be developed in Merafong Local Municipality with
more than one contractor building facilities. The
plant is expected to produce 800MW of solar power
to the grid.
Public facilities such as medical clinics are to
be provided with solar panels and battery storage
systems. City Power will roll out a pilot microgrid
project in Alexandra which is intended to meet
basic power needs for low-income households. ■
7
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

Special Economic Zones
A vital component of national and provincial policy to drive
inclusive growth.
De Beers is a storied name in the history of
the growth of the South African economy.
So it was a significant event when a
major subsidiary, De Beers Sightholder
Sales South Africa, relocated all its operations
to Johannesburg in 2023. More specifically, to a
building in Sky Park in Kempton Park: De Beers
is supporting the initiatives of national and
provincial government to promote economic
growth via Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
The OR Tambo SEZ is located at the OR Tambo
International Airport and has among its focus areas
the consolidation of all companies operating in
South Africa’s mineral beneficiation sector.
De Beers, which has two diamond mines in
South Africa, is responsible for the sale of 90% of
the world’s diamonds by value.
The National Department of Trade, Industry
and Competition (dtic) is the lead agent in the
creation of SEZs, which are part of the national
Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). SEZs are
designed to attract investment, create jobs and
boost exports.
Choosing where to position an SEZ is
based on many considerations. As Maoto
Molefane, Acting Deputy Director General of the
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
(dtic) explains, “SEZs are established on the basis
of the economic potential of a region. This could
either be comparative or competitive advantages
and the SEZ programme is used as a sweetener
to attract foreign and domestic investors. SEZs
are used to accelerate industrialisation through
coordinated planning and the development of
state-of-the-art infrastructure.”
Molefane believes that SEZs contribute
to the attractiveness of SA as an investment
destination: “By offering world-class
infrastructure, fiscal incentives, a protected
environment and an easy-to-navigate business
environment using One Stop Shops, SEZs
have directly contributed to the country’s
attractiveness. The zones have 167 operational
investors and almost half of these are FDIs.”
An updated approach to the development
of SEZs advocates for integrated multi-use with
improved living standards supported by industrial
development, commercial spaces, tourism,
better schools, entertainment, healthcare and
recreational facilities.
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
8
PHOTO: De Beers

SPECIAL FEATURE
National government also promotes
investments through tax legislation. The SEZ Tax
Incentive was introduced into the Income Tax Act
to promote investment, growth and job creation
in the South African manufacturing sector and
the development of designated regions.
The taxpayer must be a “qualifying company”
to be able to qualify for this incentive. Qualifying
companies can benefit from the following
preferential benefits: a preferential corporate
income tax rate of 15%; an accelerated
depreciation allowance of 10% on cost of any
new and unused buildings or improvement
owned by the qualifying company.
Gauteng plans
In Gauteng, the Gauteng Growth and
Development Agency (GGDA) is the driver
of the SEZ programme, which will result in
each of the province’s district or metropolitan
municipalities hosting an SEZ. Each of those
zones will emphasise the strengths of that area,
so for example logistics is another OR Tambo
speciality, given its proximity to the airport. The
existing concentration of large manufacturing
enterprises within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan
Municipality makes that sector another obvious
target, with the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct
(JMP) a good example of that convergence.
The province’s SEZs are at different stages
of development. The OR Tambo SEZ is a good
example of advanced progress. Together with
De Beers, a gold refinery has been established in
the JMP, it has become the home of bodies such
as the South African Diamonds and Precious
Metals Regulator, Belgian company Pluczenik
has launched its facilities and more than a dozen
SMMEs are active in the precinct. The other
component of Precinct 1 of the SEZ is devoted to
fruit and vegetable processing of In2Food, which
has the largest refrigeration plant in the world.
Phase 1 of the development of the Tshwane
Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) was
launched in November 2019 with Ford Motor
Company’s operations at its core, and the SEZ has
grown in stature ever since. Initial government
investment of R3.9-billion has been more than
matched by Ford and its suppliers.
Ford itself made a capital investment of R15.8-
billion in pursuit of increased production while
suppliers have invested more than R5.6-billion.
This has led to 3 291 jobs being created within
the zone, with more than 65% of the workforce
sourced from surrounding townships. Of these
jobs, 39% were filled by women and 59% by youth.
Three district municipalities across the south
of Gauteng will host the Vaal Special Economic
Zone (Vaal SEZ) which will have multiple sectors
represented and be located at multiple sites.
The area already has many industrial assets and
infrastructure and is well served by transport
routes. Among the targeted sectors are agroprocessing,
logistics, the low-carbon economy,
light manufacturing and the Blue Economy,
which seeks to take advantage of the Vaal River.
The GGDA has established a subsidiary to run the
process of establishing the SEZ.
Plans for a West Rand SEZ are in place with
three sectors being targeted: agro-processing,
including new market facilities and exploring
the growth of the cannabis sector; bus and
automotive manufacturing linked to the existing
plant of the Busmark company (the Chamdor
Automotive Hub is already functioning); and
renewable energy - a large solar plant is to be built
by six contractors on land donated by mining
company Sibanye-Stillwater.
The West Rand is well connected in terms of
transport links via the N12 and N14 highways, it
is near to Lanseria Airport and it has significant
tourism assets, including the Magliesberg
mountain range and the Cradle of Humankind. ■
The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone
has attracted multiple investors, which in turn
has created hundreds of jobs.
PHOTO: TASEZ
9 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

PROFILE
A catalyst for growth
The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) drives
economic growth, promotes exports and facilitates investments.
The AIDC manages the Automotive Supplier Park (ASP) in Rosslyn, Pretoria.
The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is
guided by principles and policies aligned with provincial and
national goals.
VISION
To be the premier catalyst of innovative, sustainable and
inclusive growth and socio-economic development within
the Gauteng City Region (GCR).
The GGDA vision is to become the:
• Best agency to work for, in terms of personal growth and
a caring culture
• Most agile agency with highly motivated and skilled
employees
• Centre of excellence for infrastructure development and
trade and investment promotion
In achieving the above vision, the GGDA aims to
create an enabling environment for economic growth
and development. The above is achieved through
microeconomic intelligence, trade, exports, investment
facilitation and economic infrastructure development.
VALUES
In working towards the achievement of the vision and
mission set out above, the GGDA subscribes to internal
values, which are aligned to the Batho Pele principles.
The Gauteng Growth and
Development Agency (GGDA)
is committed to creating an
inclusive and transformed Gauteng
economy that attracts foreign and domestic
direct investment, develops sustainable
enterprises and strategic economic
infrastructure, and enables the growth of
exports to the continent and beyond.
As the implementing arm of the
Gauteng Department of Economic
Development (GDED), the GGDA provides
a seamless one-stop shop service aimed
at unlocking investment and expansion
opportunities for local and global
businesses, while facilitating the ease of
doing business.
Subsidiaries
The GGDA mission is carried out through
a range of subsidiaries that strategically
drive growth in identified sectors.
• The AIDC manages the Automotive
Supplier Park (ASP) and provides
services to the automotive sector
and the automotive original
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
10

FOCUS
equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The AIDC
provides assistance through automotive
investment facilitation, skills development
and training, incubation programmes and
supply-chain development.
• The Innovation Hub (TIH) is the first Science and
Technology Park (STP) operated to international
standards in Southern Africa, established
with a view to spurring the development of
smart industries (high-technology sectors) in
Gauteng. TIH’s role in the provincial innovation
ecosystem is to be a catalyst for innovation
and a key knowledge economy driver, in line
with the Gauteng Growth and Development
Strategy.
• The core purpose of ConHill is to add to the
rejuvenation of the Johannesburg Inner City
through the development and promotion of the
ConHill Heritage Project.
• The Gauteng Industrial Development Zone
(GIDZ) is the agency which operates and
controls the Special Economic Zone set up
around the OR Tambo precinct. This SEZ was
established to support industrial development
in Gauteng Province with a specific focus on
mineral beneficiation and export-oriented,
value-added industry, concentrated around OR
Tambo International Airport, in Ekurhuleni.
• The Vaal SEZ is established to develop a multisector,
multi-site Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in
the Vaal Region (Sedibeng District) with the aim
to regenerate the area, support new economic
activity and build on the historic competitive
strengths and skills base of the area.
Economic opportunities within the five development corridors
of the Gauteng City Region
CENTRAL CORRIDOR
Constitution Hill precinct development; inner-city regeneration; creative industries;
Transwerke Studios; education; heritage; tourism
NORTHERN CORRIDOR
NORTHERN CORRIDOR
The Innovation Hub (smart industries, green economy, bio-economy); Automotive
Supplier Park; automotive hubs across province; automotive skills training; supplier
development; SMME incubation
WESTERN CORRIDOR
Bus manufacturing; solar energy; green hydrogen; cannabis; commercial
agriculture; expansion of Lanseria Airport; logistics; planned hi-tech SEZ
CENTRAL CORRIDOR
EASTERN CORRIDOR
EASTERN CORRIDOR
OR Tambo SEZ; jewellery precinct; minerals beneficiation; high-value exports;
logistics; aerospace; avionics; advanced manufacturing; agro-processing
WESTERN CORRIDOR
SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
Vaal SEZ; hydrogen; renewable energy component manufacturing; battery
energy storage systems; blue economy; agro-processing; cannabis
SOUTHERN CORRIDOR

FOCUS
Corridors to growth
Five corridors are ensuring that all parts of Gauteng thrive.
Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, the corridor
model extends the idea of focussed growth to
the Western Development Corridor (aligned to
the political authority of the West Rand District
Municipality) and the Southern Development
Corridor (the Sedibeng District Municipality).
The Gauteng Growth and Development
Agency (GGDA) has established subsidiaries within
corridors to drive development programmes
specific to that area.
The Northern Development Corridor
The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality
encompasses Atteridgeville, Bronkhorstspruit,
Centurion, Cullinan, Ga-Rankuwa, Garsfontein,
Hammanskraal, Irene, Mabopane, Mamelodi,
Pretoria, Pretoria North, Rayton, Refilwe,
Roodeplaat, Soshanguve and Winterveldt.
GGDA subsidiaries in the Northern Corridor
are The Innovation Hub and the Automotive
Development Centre (AIDC).
The automotive sector, research and
development, innovation and the knowledgebased
economy are the key elements driving the
economy of the Northern Corridor. Successful
projects include the Automotive Supplier Park, the
Tshwane Special Economic Zone and the Auto City.
The Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct in the
OR Tambo SEZ is booming.
Five geographic corridors have been
conceptualised as a framework to grow
the Gauteng economy in a sustainable and
equitable way.
Building on established routes connecting
major centres, the corridor concept allows for
targeted interventions in specific areas and
designated sectors.
With the province’s three large metropolitan
areas already providing a focus for development
in the metropolitan municipalities of Tshwane,
The Eastern Development Corridor
The City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
includes Alberton, Bedfordview, Benoni, Boksburg,
Brakpan, Clayville, Daveyton, Dunnottar, Edenvale,
Germiston, Katlehong, Kempton Park, Kwa-Thema,
Nigel, Olifantsfontein, Springs, Tembisa, Thokoza
and Vosloorus.
GGDA subsidiary: Gauteng Industrial Development
Zone (GIDZ), the entity responsible for the OR Tambo
Special Economic Zone (OR Tambo SEZ).
Ekurhuleni is known as “Africa’s Workshop”
because of the enormous concentration of
manufacturing, particularly between Alrode and
Wadeville. Logistics is strong because of the proximity
of Africa’s busiest airport and there is a long history
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
12

of important rail movements and rail manufacturing,
exemplified in the Gibela consortium’s facility
in Nigel. The OR Tambo SEZ focusses on exportoriented
manufacturing through initiatives such as
the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct.
The Central Development Corridor
The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan
Municipality includes Alexandra, Diepkloof,
Diepsloot, Ennerdale, Johannesburg, Lenasia,
Meadowlands, Midrand, Orange Farm, Pimville,
Randburg, Roodepoort, Sandton and Soweto.
GGDA subsidiary: Constitution Hill
Development Company (ConHill).
The Central Development Corridor is the
economic powerhouse of South Africa, contributing
approximately 17% of South Africa’s gross domestic
product (GDP), mostly through the manufacturing,
retail and service industry sectors such as finance,
services, ICT and pharmaceutical industries. Sandton
is the richest square mile in Africa and one street in
Soweto has been home to two Nobel laureates.
Constitution Hill itself is a former prison complex that
throws light on South Africa’s ugly past and is today a
museum in close proximity to the country’s highest
court. The GGDA subsidiary aims to use culture and
history not only to promote understanding but as
way of supporting creative enterprises through the
arts while rejuvenating the inner city.
The Western Development Corridor
The West Rand District Municipality comprises
three local municipalities, viz, Merafong City,
Mogale City and Rand West City, which in turn
cover the towns of Carletonville, Fochville,
Krugersdorp, Magaliesburg, Muldersdrift,
Randfontein, Wedela and Westonaria.
GGDA initiatives: Chamdor Auto Hub, West
Rand SEZ, Lanseria Smart City Project.
Mining activity is dwindling and it is no longer
the lifeblood of the West Rand. The intention is
to diversify the economy into new areas such as
renewable energy and tourism while building on a
particular strength (through the Busmark factory) in
bus manufacturing. Agriculture and agro-processing
will not only create sustainable growth but contribute
to food security. The N12 and N14 pass through the
district, expanding the potential for such enterprises.
Expansion of the Lanseria Airport would potentially
be a catalyst for further developments.
ConHill initiatives in the Central Corridor are
supporting the creative arts.
FOCUS
The Southern Development Corridor
The Sedibeng District Municipality comprises three
local municipalities, Emfuleni, Lesedi and Midvaal,
which administer the following towns: De Deur/
Walkerville, Devon, Eikenhof, Evaton, Heidelberg,
Meyerton, Nigel, Sebokeng, Vaal Marina, Vaal Oewer,
Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging.
GGDA subsidiary: Vaal SEZ. Vanderbijlpark is a
name that conjures up a particular era, a time when
South Africa was rapidly industrialising after WWI.
The town literally came into being to produce steel
and it formed, together with Vereeniging and Sasol
in the Free State, the points in the Vaal Triangle
which was at the heart of South African heavy
industry. Today is a different time and the Vaal SEZ
is an attempt to grapple with new realities. A multisite,
multi-sector SEZ will spread development
over the district with a focus on low-carbon
manufacturing and renewable energy production.
Agro-processing, logistics, the Blue Economy
(related to the Vaal River), light manufacturing
and skills development and training (leveraging
existing tertiary institutions) are all sectors that hold
potential. The region already has good transport
infrastructure and the Heineken Sedibeng Brewery
has been expanding. ■
13 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

FOCUS
Promoting manufacturing
and boosting exports
A vital part of the strategy for Gauteng is to establish, promote and support
Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
The OR Tambo SEZ at OR Tambo International Airport is at the centre of the aerotropolis in Ekurhuleni.
It is intended that each of the province’s five
development corridors should have an SEZ
that draws on the specific strengths of that
region and promotes growth that will deliver
employment opportunities and access to markets
for previously excluded citizens.
GGDA is introducing SEZs to boost
manufacturing, increase exports and employment
and add momentum towards turning the
Gauteng City Region (GCR) into a single, multitier
integrated SEZ. A related initiative seeks to
promote the growth of agro-parks and industrial
parks as a way of boosting township economies
and integrating their economies in the GCR.
Automotive Supplier Park
The Automotive Supplier Park (ASP) is an industrial
park based in Rosslyn in the northern corridor of the
Gauteng City Region and although it is not classified
as an SEZ, it shares all the good qualities that
attracts tenants. It is run by the Automotive Industry
Development Centre (AIDC). The ASP is modelled
on leading international supplier parks, spans
160ha and houses a tenant pool of automotive
component manufacturers and suppliers to Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).
OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (ORTSEZ)
ORTSEZ was established to support industrial
development in Gauteng with a specific focus
on export-oriented, value-added industry,
concentrated around OR Tambo International
Airport (ORTIA) in Ekurhuleni Metro. The SEZ
is administered by the Gauteng Industrial
Development Zone (GIDZ). The value proposition
of the ORTSEZ is centred around ORTIA, Africa’s
largest airport with the capacity to handle 400 000
tons of cargo and over 25 regional and international
flights on a daily basis. With easy access to rail and in
heart of South Africa’s industrial and manufacturing
engine which is the City of Ekurhuleni, ORTSEZ
is the perfect value proposition for advanced
manufacturing and beneficiation. The Jewellery
Manufacturing Precinct is running efficiently and
one of the largest food factories in the world has
been operating in the zone since 2019, providing
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
14
PHOTO: Pretoria Travel/Wikimedia Commons

a platform for the increased export of fresh food
products. Medical and pharmaceutical clusters are
in the process of being established and sectors
such as metal components and avionics are
being planned.
West Rand
In the context of declining mining output, a multisectoral
and multi-site West Rand SEZ is planned to
diversify the West Rand’s economy.
New investment will promote an eco-industrial
cluster, develop industrial infrastructure, promote
coordinated planning among key government
agencies and the private sector and guide the
deployment of development tools to enhance
industrial acceleration.
The sector focus includes bus manufacturing,
solar farms, agro-processing, hemp and cannabis
processing, green hydrogen, biogas (agri-processing
waste), large-scale agricultural and dairy farming and
light-bulb manufacturing.
The Lanseria node is one of Gauteng’s most
significant regional development opportunities.
The Lanseria Smart City is envisioned as a highimpact,
compact, complex, mixed-use urban
development. An important aspect is the
potential of an expanded Gautrain bus and rail
system. Apart from promoting a Gautrain Station
at Lanseria Airport (which would link it to Sandton
and OR Tambo International Airport), an additional
station at the core of the Smart City would drive
mixed-use activity. Discussions with the Gautrain
Management Agency (GMA) is ongoing.
A hi-tech SEZ is envisaged in the Greater
Lanseria Area to promote industrial agglomeration
and mixed-use development. The Lanseria Smart
City, at the core of the Greater Lanseria Master Plan,
responds to the need to absorb the rapid growth of
the Gauteng City Region. In doing so, it seeks to grow
a mixed-use activity node around Lanseria Airport,
using infrastructural investment and policy support
to drive sustainable urban consolidation in the N14
and Malibongwe Drive development corridors.
Vaal Special Economic Zone (Vaal SEZ)
The Vaal SEZ will be a multi-sector, multi-site SEZ in
the Vaal Region (Sedibeng District). The goal is to
regenerate the area, support new economic activity
An expanded Gautrain could boost the West Rand SEZ,
Lanseria Airport and the proposed hi-tech SEZ.
and build on the historic competitive strengths and
skills base of the area. Also to build a socially cohesive
society with sustained growth that results in the
creation and retention of quality jobs.
Targeted sectors include end-to-end hydrogen
value chain; localisation of manufacturing of
renewable energy components; agrivoltaics; new
energy vehicles; battery energy storage systems;
blue economy; agro-processing (including medical
cannabis); aviation; defence; and logistics.
SEZ incentives
A series of incentives have been packaged to support
foreign and domestic direct investment. Most of
these relate to regulations of the Department of
Trade, Industry and Competition, the dtic.
INCENTIVE
Infrastructure funding
VAT exemption
Duty-free imports
Employment tax incentive
Tax reduction
Loans
DETAIL
With the support of the dtic SEZ fund,
designated SEZs can apply for grant
funding from the dtic SEZ Fund for
bulk and top structure.
For goods produced for export.
Raw materials or equipment used in
the zone will not attract duty.
All employers operating in an SEZ may
access the employment tax incentive.
Possible tax reductions for projects
+R200-million.
Working-capital loans through a
metals-financing scheme.
Lower corporate tax A lower corporate tax rate of 15%
compared to 28% is proposed.
PHOTO: Gautrain
Depreciation allowance
Eligible for an accelerated depreciation
allowance on capital structures, 10%
per annum for 10 years.

From poverty alleviation to national
security: computational modelling
enabling smart solutions that work
“By extending its applications, we can harness the power of computational modelling to
tackle poverty, unemployment and national security, and promote environmental, social
and governance practices.” – Regina Maphanga
Computer modelling refers to the process
of creating virtual representations
or simulations of real-world systems,
allowing researchers and policymakers
to study and analyse complex phenomena in
a controlled environment or processes using
computer software and algorithms. It entails the
use of mathematical equations, data inputs and
computational algorithms to mimic and simulate
the behaviour, interactions and outcomes of the
system being modelled.
Computer modelling offers several benefits
and applications. It allows researchers, scientists,
engineers and decision-makers to study complex
systems, explore what-if scenarios, optimise
designs, predict outcomes and make informed
decisions without the need for costly or timeconsuming
physical experimentation. It bridges
the gap between theoretical understanding
and real-world complexity, enabling us to gain
insights into systems that may be inaccessible,
expensive or dangerous to study physically.
By extending its applications, we can harness
the power of computational modelling to tackle
poverty, unemployment and national security
and to promote environmental, social and
governance (ESG) practices. As a thought leader
in computational modelling, I firmly believe that
leveraging its capabilities in these domains can
reshape our society and create a more equitable
and secure future.
Poverty alleviation and unemployment:
Poverty alleviation and unemployment are
pressing socioeconomic challenges that require
comprehensive approaches to address them
effectively. Computational modelling offers a
powerful tool for understanding the intricate
dynamics of these issues and developing
targeted strategies for intervention.
By applying computational models,
researchers can simulate various scenarios
to assess the impact of different policies
and interventions on poverty reduction and
employment creation. These models consider
factors such as economic indicators, social
conditions, educational attainment levels,
access to resources and government initiatives,
to cite a few.
Furthermore, computational modelling
enables policymakers to identify potential
bottlenecks or unintended consequences
that may arise from certain interventions. By
analysing various parameters within the model’s
framework, decision-makers can optimise
resource allocation by prioritising sectors with
a high potential for job creation, while also
targeting vulnerable populations that are most
in need of support.
This understanding enables us to design
targeted interventions, such as skill development
programmes, job creation initiatives and social
safety nets, with the aim of fostering inclusive
economic growth and enhancing livelihoods.
National security: Ensuring the safety and
security of nations in an increasingly digital and
interconnected world demands advanced tools
for risk assessment, intelligence analysis and
strategic planning. Computational modelling
plays a pivotal role in analysing complex
geopolitical landscapes, simulating potential
scenarios and assessing the impacts of various
policies. By integrating diverse datasets and
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
16

FOCUS
employing sophisticated algorithms, we can
enhance our ability to detect emerging threats,
formulate effective defence strategies and
safeguard national interests.
ESG practices: The integration of ESG
principles is vital for organisations that are
committed to long-term sustainability and
responsible business practices. Computational
modelling empowers decision-makers to
evaluate the impact of their actions on
environmental conservation, social wellbeing
and corporate governance. By incorporating
diverse variables and quantifying the potential
outcomes, organisations can identify sustainable
investment opportunities, optimise resource
allocation and enhance transparency and
accountability.
Manufacturing: Next-generation manufacturing
industries can push the boundaries of innovation
by adopting modelling tools. Computational
modelling supports innovation in product and
process design, reduces the need for physical
testing and prototypes, defines complex process
parameters and leads to quality products and
robust manufacturing processes.
Smart infrastructure and sustainable urban
planning: The efficient utilisation of resources,
resilience to climate change and the development
of smart cities are critical components of a
sustainable future. Computational modelling
enables us to design and optimise infrastructure
systems, integrating renewable energy sources,
transportation networks and waste management
systems. By simulating the interactions between
these components, we can identify strategies
that minimise environmental impact, enhance
energy efficiency and improve the quality of life
for urban populations.
Crisis response and disaster management: In
the face of natural disasters, disease outbreaks or
humanitarian crises, computational modelling
offers crucial support for emergency response
and resource allocation. By simulating different
scenarios, emergency planners can identify
optimal strategies, assess the potential impacts
and allocate resources effectively. Furthermore,
modelling the spread of infectious diseases
aids in understanding transmission dynamics,
evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and
formulating proactive healthcare strategies.
As computational modelling revolutionises
our understanding of complex systems, it
becomes a powerful tool for driving social
impact. By leveraging its capabilities in poverty
alleviation, unemployment mitigation, national
security and ESG practices, we can foster a more
inclusive, secure and sustainable future.
As a thought leader in computational
modelling, I am committed to pushing the
boundaries of its application in various domains,
working towards a world in which technology is
harnessed for the betterment of society. Let us
embrace computational modelling as a catalyst
for transformative change, shaping a future
that leaves no-one behind and prioritises the
wellbeing of both people and the planet.
By Regina Maphanga
THE AUTHOR
Regina Maphanga is the Research Group Leader
for the Design and Optimisation research group
at the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) in Pretoria. She has a PhD in
physics from the University of Limpopo.
Email: RMaphangai@csir.co.za
CSIR
Now is the time to seize the tremendous
opportunities offered by computational
modelling. By partnering with us, a thought
leader in computational modelling and
sustainable business development, you can
unlock new frontiers and drive innovation at
a reduced cost and time. Our expertise will
empower your organisation to harness the full
potential of computational modelling, optimise
operations, embrace sustainable practices and
position your brand as a leader in the market.
17 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

Investec Property has sold The Neighbourhood Square to Burstone Group and Flanagan & Gerard (F&G) for
R380-million. Burstone (previously Investec Property Fund) and F&G each have a 50% stake in the property
which is located in Linksfield, Johannesburg, and has Woolworths and Checkers among its tenants.
PHOTO: Burstone Group

KEY SECTORS
Overviews of the main economic
sectors of Gauteng
Mining 20
Energy 22
Agriculture 26
Oil and gas 27
Manufacturing 28
Construction and property 30
Transport and logistics 32
Tourism 34
Education and training 36
ICT 37
Development finance and SMME support 38
Banking and financial services 39

OVERVIEW
Mining
Platinum is attracting investors.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Two projects are underway at
Cullinan diamond mine.
Where it all began: Driefontein gold mine.
Platinum group metals (PGMs) are not dead yet. Sibanye-
Stillwater, which started life as a gold miner in Gauteng in
2013 and has become an international diversified mining
and metals-processing group with a market capitalisation
of R61.4-billion, is attracting large and reputable investors as the
potential for PGMs to play a bigger role in a greener global economy
becomes more evident.
Sibanye’s Keliber lithium project in Finland is being seen very
positively by the investment community, as it will supply locally
produced lithium hydroxide in a world that is going to need larger
quantities to support green policies. The battery electric vehicle (BEV)
market is growing as countries around the world set ever-tougher
targets. The EU demands that all cars sold after 2035 will have zerocarbon
emissions. Lithium hydroxide is a key component of the drive
to grow the BEV sector.
The gold mines where Sibanye-Stillwater began are still active
and producing gold. In 2023, one of the original mines to be
purchased, Driefontein, produced 233 350oz of gold, in a Sibanye-
Stillwater total for its South African operations of 810 584oz. That total
includes volumes mined by DRDGOLD, in which Sibanye-Stillwater
has a 50.1% stake. DRDGOLD operates surface tailings retreatment
facilities on the West Rand and on the East Rand.
Harmony Gold’s acquisition strategy, including the purchase from
AngloGold of Moab Khotsong, will result in it being the country’s biggest
gold producer. It could produce an
annual total of 1.7-million ounces.
Of Harmony’s eight
South African underground
operations, one is located
in the Klerksdorp goldfield
and three in the West Rand.
Mponeng near Carltonville is
the deepest level shaft in the
world at 3 891m below datum
and 2 062m below sea level.
In FY2023 Mponeng was the
group’s largest gold producer,
with the amount of 239 490oz
contributing 16% of total
production.
A new company, Shallow
Reefs Gold, has been created to
pursue projects in the shallow
reefs of the Witwatersrand Gold
Basin. The company believes
that the grade of the deposits
makes for a good economic
proposition.
Cullinan diamond
mine is engaged in two
developments projects, the
C-Cut Extension and CC1-
East, which will increase carat
production and extend the
mine plan, possibly as far as
2040. The mine’s revenue in
FY2023 was $182.9-million,
which represented 52% of
Petra Diamonds’ revenue.
The company runs four other
mines in other provinces.
Cullinan is famous for its rare
blue diamonds.
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
20
PHOTO: Sibanye-Stillwater

OVERVIEW
Mine bodies
Gauteng is home to most of the research and training bodies
associated with mining. Sibanye-Stillwater supports the Wits Mining
Institute’s Digital Mining Laboratory (Digimine). AECI, the explosives
and chemicals company, sponsors the Virtual Reality Mine Design
Centre at the University of Pretoria. Mintek is an autonomous body
based in Randburg which receives about 30% of its budget from the
Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
has created two clusters to encourage innovation and collaboration
among all the relevant parties in mining in South Africa. These are
the Mining Equipment Manufacturers of South Africa (MEMSA) and
the South African Mineral Processing Equipment Cluster (SAMPEC),
which falls under the South African Capital Equipment Export
Council, a dtic company. SAMPEC looks for opportunities for import
replacement and local beneficiation along the value chain.
SACEEC runs an annual New Products and Innovation Awards
programme. In 2022, the overall winner was ABC Ventilation Systems
(ABC) for a product “Hardline”, that also ranked top in the Local
Manufacturing: Innovation New Product (Mining category). The
product is a modified HDPE polymer material converted into ducting
for ventilation underground. The “Hardline” product overcomes safety
and logistical as well as installation issues associated with traditional
steel ducting. In 2024 ABC won again in the General Mining category
with a system that uses smart technology to work out how many
people are present at underground mining sites, and then adjusts the
levels of ventilation to suit that number.
MEMSA, an industry cluster established in 2016, works hard to
build a competitive advantage for South African mining equipment
manufacturers by providing access to key markets and championing
existing and future local technology and innovation. MEMSA is
recognised by, and benefits from a close working relationship with
the DMRE, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and
Minerals Council South Africa (MCSA).
The Mandela Mining Precinct, a public-private partnership
between the DSI and MCSA, is managed by the Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The first MEMSA Manufacturing Excellence Awards was held
in 2022 and unearthed some innovative and ambitious projects.
The awards evening was held together with SEIFSA Awards for
ONLINE RESOURCES
Council for Geoscience: www.geoscience.org.za
MEMSA: www.memsa.org.za
Minerals Council South Africa: www.mineralscouncil.org.za
South African Capital Equipment Export Council: www.saceec.com
ABC Ventilation won an award at the
2024 New Products and Innovation
Awards for its MiVent system, which
can sense how much ventilation is
needed in underground locations.
Excellence. SEIFSA is the Steel
and Engineering Industries
Federation of Southern Africa.
The MEMSA awards are
supported by the South African
Mining Extraction Research,
Development and Innovation
(SAMERDI) programme, which
in turn is backed by the DSI and
the MCSA.
The University of the
Witwatersrand started life
as the South African School
of Mines. The School of
Mining Engineering at Wits
is the highest-ranked school
at the university in terms
of the QS World University
Rankings. Pretoria University
has a Department of Mining
Engineering, the University of
South Africa offers three national
diplomas in mine-related fields,
the University of Johannesburg
has mine-surveying courses
and the Vaal and Tshwane
Universities of Technology have
engineering faculties. ■
PHOTO: ABC Ventilation 21
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Energy
Roof pergolas have solved a solar problem.
SECTOR INSIGHT
A PPP is building an 800MW
facility in Merafong.
The two hotels of the Marriott Hotel Group within the Melrose
Arch precinct faced a problem when they set out to install
solar panels on the roofs of the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch
and the African Pride Hotel. There was not enough space.
SolarSaver, working together with Amdec, the developer
responsible for Melrose Arch, came up with a solution based on
the construction of a web of pergola-like structures, pictured,
above the existing roof structures. The installed panels are
expected to reduce costs and cut the hotels’ carbon footprint.
Altogether, SolarSaver has 16 systems totalling over 3 281.80kWp
within Melrose Arch, all of which are managed on a “rent-to-own”
model, with a 20-year power-purchase agreement ensuring that
the client pays only for the green energy produced.
The Provincial Government of Gauteng is also pursuing solar
solutions. In February 2024 the Diepkloof clinic in Soweto became
the first provincial facility to start using the solar panels installed
on its roof, and a programme for a further 20 health facilities and
schools will be implemented. The plan for the 2024/25 financial
year is for the provincial government to add 300MW, which,
together with the installation of smart meters, could stave off two
stages of loadshedding.
A large private initiative is happening in the western part of the
province. Sibanye-Stillwater has approved the leasing of 1 600ha
of its land to independent power producers who will develop a
photovoltaic power station in the Merafong Local Municipality.
ONLINE RESOURCES
National Energy Regulator of South Africa: www.nersa.org.za
South African National Energy Development Institute: www.sanedi.org.za
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za
The aim is to produce
800MW and the project is to
be run by a public-private
partnership (PPP) managed
and developed by a non-profit
company, Bokamoso Ba Rona.
The founding partners of the
NPC are the Far West Rand
Dolomitic Water Association
(FWRDWA), Sibanye-Stillwater,
the West Rand District
Municipality and the Gauteng
Infrastructure Financial
Agency (GIFA), representing
the Gauteng Provincial
Government.
A new research chair
has been created to study
climate change. The Sappi
Chair in Climate Change and
Plantation Sustainability was
launched by Sappi Southern
Africa and the University of the
Witwatersrand (Wits) in 2023.
Professor Mary Scholes of the
Wits School of Animal, Plants
and Environmental Science,
an internationally recognised
authority on tree physiology
and climate change, will act as
the Research Chair.
Developing additional
capacity in manipulating
and interpreting climatemodelling
data will be a
priority. Funding is available
for one post-doctoral fellow
and bursaries for one Master’s
and one Honours student. ■
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
22
PHOTO: SolarSaver

Empowering Africa’s energy
growth with sustainable solutions
Partner with Forvis Mazars to tackle energy poverty across Africa.
Let’s work together to drive sustainable growth and create lasting
impact.
Scan the QR code
to learn more
forvismazars.com/za
forvismazars.com

FOCUS
Balancing profit and purpose
Addressing energy poverty in Africa. By Taona Kokera, Director: Forvis Mazars.
Taona Kokera, Director: Forvis Mazars
In the quest to address energy poverty in
Africa, the debate often centres on the
tension between profit and purpose. As global
sustainability goals increasingly emphasise
universal access to energy, particularly in
underserved regions, the concept of “profit for
purpose” emerges as a crucial strategy.
The concept of “profit for purpose” integrates
economic objectives with social and environmental
goals. It aligns seamlessly with the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially
SDG 7, which calls for ensuring access to affordable,
reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. This
alignment is particularly critical in Africa, where over
500-million people lack reliable electricity access.
According to the International Energy Agency
(IEA) World Energy Outlook 2023 report: “As of
2023, approximately 570-million people in Sub-
Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity, which
underscores the region’s substantial energy
access gap.”
This figure is consistent with other sources
such as the World Bank’s Energy Progress
Report 2023: “Around 575-million people in Sub-
Saharan Africa live without access to electricity,
highlighting the ongoing challenges in achieving
universal energy access.”
Profit for purpose therefore seeks to balance
financial returns with social impact, ensuring that
businesses contribute to sustainable development
while remaining economically viable. This
approach supports the African Union’s 12 priorities,
including the commitment to universal access
to clean and affordable energy. By focusing on
underserved markets, businesses can play a pivotal
role in advancing these goals, demonstrating that
financial success and societal benefit are not
mutually exclusive.
However, investing in energy solutions for
poverty-stricken areas clearly presents unique
financial challenges and opportunities. The
challenges revolve around the high initial
costs. Developing infrastructure in underserved
regions often requires substantial capital
investment. In addition, these areas may also
pose higher risks due to political instability,
economic volatility or poverty. Furthermore,
there is limited access to traditional financing, as
many of these markets are considered too risky
by conventional investors, resulting in limited
access to commercial funding.
Innovative financing
This creates the opportunity for innovative
financing models. Multilateral finance institutions
and climate finance mechanisms offer potential for
blending funding sources. Hybrid models, such as
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
24

Investments in off-grid renewable energy solutions tackle energy poverty while also
creating access to new markets.
combining donor funds with private investments,
can mitigate risks and attract capital to highimpact
projects. By combining these different
sources of funding – climate finance mechanisms
and multilateral finance institutions – the financial
burden is shared and the overall risk is reduced. This
blended approach can make investments more
attractive and financially viable.
Shared-value mechanisms offer companies the
chance to align social impact with business success.
By incorporating social responsibility into their core
operations, businesses can unlock new market
opportunities and strengthen their competitive
position. For example, investing in off-grid
renewable energy solutions enables companies
to tackle energy poverty while simultaneously
entering an expanding market. This approach allows
the investment in energy solutions to generate
new revenue streams and foster business growth,
ultimately becoming self-sustaining through the
increased market potential.
Solving energy poverty has profound
implications for economic growth and social
development. Expanding access to energy
stimulates local economies by creating jobs in
the energy sector and associated industries. This
economic activity can boost livelihoods and
support small businesses. As businesses and
households benefit from reliable energy, they can
engage in more productive activities and smallscale
enterprises, which can generate additional
economic activity. This increased economic activity
in turn leads to higher income and investment
returns, thereby supporting the self-financing of
energy projects.
Reliable energy access improves productivity
by enabling businesses to operate more
efficiently and by providing households with the
means to engage in productive activities, such as
small-scale enterprises.
Access to energy enhances living standards
by providing basic amenities such as lighting,
heating and cooking. This, in turn, supports
better health outcomes and educational
opportunities. Energy access can empower
marginalised communities, particularly women
and rural populations, by providing them with
the resources needed to improve their socioeconomic
conditions. Improved quality of life can
lead to stronger, more resilient communities that
are better able to support and sustain economic
activities, further contributing to the financial
viability of energy projects.
Closing the energy gap in Africa can become
self-financing through such innovative mechanisms
and strategies. By leveraging these strategies, the
initial investment in closing the energy gap can be
offset by the economic and social returns generated,
demonstrating that such initiatives can indeed be
self-financing in the long term. ■
PHOTO: Solarise Africa
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Agriculture
Innovation is improving agriculture.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Karan Beef’s Heidelberg lot
is the biggest in the world.
Finding out how fast barley germinates is a vital component of
the brewing process.
A new and faster method has not only created a great
deal of interest, the “Rapid Screening of Barley” championed
by three University of Johannesburg professors has also garnered
first prize in the Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Innovation
Competition in the Biosciences category. The ceremony is
pictured here.. Professors Eduard Venter, Charles Whitehead and Dr
Joseph Walker are the pioneers in agricultural technology whose
breakthrough has been compared to a disposable test for Covid.
Both other award winners in Biosciences were innovators in
agriculture: iGrovest Group (Lesedi Moseki) produces, trades and
distributes agricultural commodities; Sholab Nutraceuticals (Prof
Francis Shode and Cynthia Moyo) produces food fortified with
exacts from edible medicinal plants.
The theme of the GAP awards was “Solving Societal Challenges
Through Technology Innovation” and the winners received prizes
that included seed funding and access to The Innovation Hub’s
incubation programmes.
The Gauteng Industrial Development Zone (GIDZ) located
at OR Tambo International Airport has an agro-processing plant
which is intended to encourage the export of high-value goods.
The Provincial Government of Gauteng has set up Action Labs to
focus on agriculture and agro-processing with an emphasis on land
ONLINE RESOURCES
Agricultural Research Council: www.arc.agric.za
South African Poultry Association: www.sapoultry.co.za
The Innovation Hub: www.theinnovationhub.com
tenure issues and improving
food security. Linking producers
to the value chain will benefit
township economies.
Gauteng’s agricultural
sector is focussed on producing
vegetables. There is commercial
farming in the southern sector
of the province (part of South
Africa’s maize triangle) and the
farming of cotton, groundnuts
and sorghum is undertaken in
areas near Bronkhorstspruit (east)
and Heidelberg (in the south).
The province is home to
some of South Africa’s biggest
agricultural companies,
including AFGRI. Karan Beef
is Africa’s largest processor
of cattle and it has a large
feedmill in Heidelberg. The
Heidelberg farm is the largest
feedlot in the world at 2 330ha
and the abattoir facilities in
neighbouring Mpumalanga
process up to 380 000 head of
cattle annually.
The Kanhym Agrimill in
Vereeniging is one of three in
the company’s portfolio, which
collectively processes 250 000
tons of animal feed annually.
Kanhym Estates is the largest
producer of pigs in the country.
Poultry is a big sector in farm
Gauteng. Companies include
Astral Foods, RCL Foods and
Daybreak Foods, which has
operations in four provinces. ■
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
26
PHOTO: The Innovation Hub

Oil and gas
A gas turbine has been recommissioned.
An open-cycle gas-turbine plant has been renamed and
recommissioned.
City Power, as an implementing agent of the Gauteng
Energy Response Plan, will deliver 50MW from the plant which
is located in downtown Johannesburg. At an inauguration ceremony
held in April 2024, the John Ware Plant was named for a former City of
Johannesburg mayor and the plant was officially opened.
The Provincial Government of Gauteng had previously
announced that it wanted to take “decisive steps” to increase the
availability and use of gas. National policy is driving a switch to
the use of gas. A national Gas Utilisation Master Plan (GUMP) is
being developed.
An allocation of 3 126MW to natural gas has been made in the
national medium-term energy policy to 2030.
The announcement by Sasol that it will cut supplies of natural
gas from Mozambique in 2026 has caused considerable discussion
among users of the energy source, including the Industrial Gas User
Association – Southern Africa (IGUA – SA), which said that this would
have a significant impact on the manufacturing sector.
IGUA – SA’s website notes that natural gas could bolster socioeconomic
growth, attract investment and render “the mining, energy
and manufacturing sectors more efficient and globally competitive”.
The association has members in the mining, manufacturing,
agricultural and transport sectors.
The country’s biggest supplier of industrial heating fluids, FFS
Refiners, supplies this product out of a plant at Chloorkop while the
company’s Evander site is responsible for heavy fuel oils. Evander also
has a tank with installed capacity of 8 500m³.
Egoli Gas has a pipeline network that extends over 1 200km in
and around Johannesburg and the company has 7 500 domestic,
industrial and commercial customers. The company that owns Egoli
Gas, Reatile, has a 30% stake in Vopak and a stake in CNG Holdings.
Ardagh Glass Packaging (formerly Consol) has contracted to buy
liquid natural gas (LNG) from Renergen, which is developing a large
project in the Free State.
The regulator and promoter of oil and gas exploration in South
Africa, Petroleum Agency South Africa, has awarded coalbed
ONLINE RESOURCES
National Energy Regulator of South Africa: www.nersa.org.za
South African Oil & Gas Alliance: www.saoga.org.za
South African Petroleum Industry Association: www.sapia.co.za
SECTOR INSIGHT
Sasol is cutting supplies.
OVERVIEW
Cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the
John Ware Plant.
methane gas and natural gas
rights in the provinces on
Gauteng’s border, Free State and
KwaZulu-Natal.
Delta Natural Gas (DNG)
Energy is rolling out 400 natural
gas refuelling sites across South
Africa with a focus on the taxi and
logistics sectors. The first sites will
be Johannesburg and Tshwane.
NGV Gas, a subsidiary of
CNG Holdings, is promoting
compressed natural gas (CNG)
as a versatile alternative across
all sectors.
The major economic sectors
using gas are the metals sector
and the chemical, pulp and
paper sector. Brick and glass
manufacturers are also big
consumers. ■
PHOTO: Gauteng Provincial Government 27
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Manufacturing
Concrete growth expands to eSwatini.
SECTOR INSIGHT
De Beers diamond sorting has
moved to the ORTIA SEZ.
Railway sleepers in Brakpan.
Colossal Concrete Products has done its first deal outside
South Africa. The company, which has manufacturing
facilities in Brakpan, Gauteng, and De Aar in the Northern
Cape, is expanding into Eswatini through a distribution
agreement with the potential for a possible manufacturing facility
investment with Nkonyeni Precast Limited (NPC).
The consortium that became Colossal Concrete Products
comprised Colossal Africa Group, Mafoko Holdings, Clone Capital
and Randvest Capital and is a Level 1 B-BBEE company. The
precast concrete manufacturing facilities of Aveng Infraset were
acquired. Brakpan continued to operate and the De Aar factory
was reopened in 2023. The transaction included all the relevant
plant and equipment, key staff, intellectual property and licences
related to precast railway products, poles and masts, pipes and
culverts, enclosures and related specialised product ranges which
are manufactured and exported.
The Oliver Tambo International Airport SEZ (ORTIA SEZ), run
by the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone, has become a new
centre of manufacturing. The launch of the Jewellery Manufacturing
Precinct has had the effect of crowding in a range of investors.
With the completion of the last of six buildings planned for Precinct
1, Phase 1 was officially declared complete in March 2024. In February
2023 the building that houses Pluczenik, a Belgian investor, was
unveiled in the presence of King Philippe of Belgium.
Other buildings include a precious metals refinery as well as
an administrative building
where national regulatory
agencies, the South African
Diamonds and Precious Metals
Regulator (SADPMR) and the
State Diamond Trader (SDT),
are located.
De Beers’ decision to move
its diamond-sorting facility to
ORTIA SEZ and the investment
of R81-million has created 89
permanent jobs and given the
Precinct additional credibility.
Metcon Gold Refinery has
established a gold-refinery
facility, a R102-million
investment with 100 permanent
jobs. In2Food has set up a fruit
and vegetable-processing
facility, a first in Africa, with the
largest refrigeration plant in the
world. The company invested
R257-million and created 2 500
permanent jobs.
Ford South Africa’s goal of
reaching production capacity of
200 000 vehicles per year is a step
closer, thanks to an investment
in automation at its Silverton
Assembly Plant in Tshwane.
An amount of R15.8-billion
has been invested in a range
of new facilities, including
a 44 000m2 Body Shop, a
supporting warehouse and
a Stamping Plant. The Ford
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
28
PHOTO: Colossal Concrete Products

Ranger is produced at the plant in a wide variety of configurations
including single cab, supercab and double cab, as well as lefthand
drive and right-hand drive models. Welding is done by
robots, as are many of the other functions on the production line
that features 493 robots in all.
In response to Ford’s investment, auto component and battery
manufacturer Metair will establish a new logistics facility at
Silverton. Several Metair subsidiaries, including Hesto Harnesses,
Unitrade, Automould and Lumotech, have signed agreements to
supply Ford with a wide range of products.
All of Gauteng’s large automobile manufacturers are investing in
new model production. Nissan is spending R3-billion on production
of the Navara pick-up vehicle. Other major investments include
R6.1-billion by BMW at Rosslyn and R260-million by BMW on an
expanded campus at Midrand. UD Trucks, a part of the Volvo group,
will assemble the Croner heavy commercial vehicle at Rosslyn.
Manufacturing variety
More than half of the companies operating in the food and
beverage sector in South Africa are in Gauteng, including Nestlé,
Tiger Brands, Pioneer Foods, RCL, AVI and Astral. There are
approximately 4 000 food processing companies in the province,
employing more than 100 000 people.
Although there are more than 200 pharmaceutical firms in
the country, large companies dominate the field, with Aspen
Pharmacare (34%) and Adcock Ingram (25%) the two key players,
followed by Sanofi, Pharmaplan and Cipla Medpro. Among the
other big international brands active in Gauteng are Merck, which
has a 55 000m² plant at Modderfontein, and Pfizer SA, which runs a
laboratory in Sandton among its facilities in South Africa.
The Eastern Corridor of Gauteng, centred on the metropole
of Ekurhuleni, is consolidating its position in manufacturing by
leveraging the advantages of hosting the OR Tambo International
Airport and related Special Economic Zones and industrial parks.
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has the greatest
concentration of manufacturing enterprises, especially between
Wadeville and Alrode, south-west of Alberton. Germiston is the
country’s biggest rail junction and Transnet Engineering has
invested hundreds of millions of rands in new equipment at its
facility there.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Centre for Advanced Manufacturing: www.cfam.co.za
Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association: www.caia.co.za
Gauteng Department of Economic Development:
www.ecodev.gpg.gov.za
Manufacturing Circle: www.manufacturingcircle.co.za
Keeping a keen eye on
diamond quality.
Aeroton is the site of SEW-
EURODRIVE’s new head office
and factory which will bring
under one roof several of the
company’s activities which
were previously in different
parts of the country.
Packaging company
Nampak has metals, plastic,
paper and glass operations
at various locations. It is the
market leader in beverage cans.
In 2022 Ardagh Group
bought Consol Glass, South
Africa’s biggest glass producer,
and now controls that
company through Ardagh
Glass Packaging. Production
facilities are located in Clayville,
Wadeville and Nigel.
Household products
manufacturer Unilever
represents an example of the
lighter industrial capacity of the
East Rand.
The southern portion of
Gauteng around Vanderbijlpark
and Vereeniging is synonymous
with steel production. Flat iron
is made at the ArcelorMittal
plant. Scaw Metals has a chainmaking
factory in Vereeniging.
There are 35 aluminium
processing firms in Gauteng,
involved in both secondary
processing to produce foils,
cans, bars, rods and sheets,
with final fabrication in the
form of die-casting and sheet
metal work. Within Gauteng,
the automotive and packaging
industries are the chief
consumers of these products. ■
PHOTO: GGDA
29 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Construction and property
A new construction programme offers skills training.
SECTOR INSIGHT
SECTOR INSIGHT
Gauteng has 700 informal
settlements.
Students approve of the new training centre in Brakpan.
A
new Community Construction programme has been
launched by Forge Academy & Labs, in partnership with
mining company Sibanye-Stillwater, in Brakpan.
Forge Academy & Labs has a strong focus on digital
technologies and courses being offered online, so the hands-on
construction programme being presented at the precious metal
refinery of Sibanye-Stillwater presents a major departure for the
education provider. Designed to cover all aspects of construction,
the course will include components such as bricklaying, plumbing
and electrical wiring.
The new training centre was launched in February 2024 with
two 12-month programmes offering certification courses in
Amazon Web Services with Business Analysis, together with the
Community Construction. Course graduates will earn a full SETAaccredited
qualification.
A provincial government programme has been launched in the
same field, but this one is designed to give skills to unemployed
people living in townships. The aim is to provide the skills that can
be applied to upgrade the quality of housing where people live.
The “iCrush le Lova” programme aims to create qualified bricklayers,
electricians and plumbers. A complementary programme will
improve and expand a database on township architects, hardware
stores, building suppliers and contractors, all professionals
and businesses that can work on the design and construction
of upgrades to township housing stock. A further group of
unemployed people will be
trained to assist in compiling
the database. There are about
700 informal settlements
in Gauteng, and there are
provincial plans to upgrade 68
in the short term.
The R300-million SA SMME
Crisis Partnership Fund has
been launched. A collaboration
between the Provincial
Government of Gauteng,
the Industrial Development
Corporation (IDC) and the
SA SME Fund, it intends to
make financing available up
to R1.5-million to SMMEs and
to home owners wanting to
upgrade their backyard rental
accommodation.
Six intermediaries have
been identified to find and
fund entrepreneurs and rental
properties that need working
capital or asset finance.
Indlu Living, one of the six
companies, is already funding
rental property upgrades, with
the expectation that rental
income will pay off the loan.
An innovative scheme
to build a new township
in Gauteng is backed by a
retirement fund. The Transport
Sector Retirement Fund
is building an integrated
settlement in the Sedibeng
District Municipality south of
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
30
PHOTO: Forge Academy & Labs

OVERVIEW
Constitution Hill has been upgraded.
Johannesburg. The R2.7-billion development includes a shopping
centre and will include a mix of housing types.
A large housing project south-east of Tshwane has been
designated a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) which means that all
of the external bulk services will be supplied by the Department of
Public Works and Infrastructure. Balwin Properties will develop the
residential component of Mooikloof Mega City and the educational,
commercial and filling station erven will be sold to a third party. The
intention is to build about 16 000 apartments, with the potential to
increase to 50 000. The property is on Garsfontein Drive.
Another SIP is Malibongwe Ridge, a mixed-use development
that is a joint venture between the City of Johannesburg and
the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements. Located next
to Cosmos City, housing for 5 500 families is expected to cost
R2.55-billion to develop.
New cities
By 2030 Gauteng will have two huge new cities, socially diverse,
digitally connected and ecologically responsible and sustainable.
That’s if the Provincial Government of Gauteng brings to fruition its
plans for the west (Lanseria to Hartbeespoort Dam) and the south,
where Vaal River City will stretch from Vereeniging to Sasolburg in
the Free State.
In the 25 years since South Africa has been a democracy, more
than 1.2-million subsidised houses have been built by government
entities in Gauteng. Provincial government has pledged to release 10
000 serviced stands as part of its Rapid Land Release programme and
ONLINE RESOURCES
Construction Industry Development Board: www.cidb.org.za
Gauteng Partnership Fund: www.gpf.co.za
Green Building Council SA: www.gbcsa.org.za
Johannesburg Development Agency: www.jda.org.za
it intends finishing incomplete
housing projects in Alexandra,
Evaton, Kliptown, Bekkersdal
and Winterveldt.
Bodies such as the National
Housing Finance Corporation,
Indlu and Umastandi (social
capital entrepreneurs) are working
with provincial authorities to
find ways to formalise and
monetise the township market
so that sustainable incomes can
be generated and affordable
housing and rental stock become
more readily available.
The Gauteng Partnership
Fund (GPF) has attracted more
than R3.5-billion in private
sector funding for affordable
housing in the province since
2012. The Brickfields housing
and rental development in
Newton was funded by the
GPF and implemented by
the Johannesburg Housing
Company (JHC) as one of the first
inner-city rejuvenation projects.
JHC is a leader in converting bad
buildings to usable rental space.
Johannesburg Development
Agency (JDA) projects range from
the upgrading of Constitution
Hill, the Faraday Station precinct,
work on the Fashion District
and pavements of the inner city,
renovation of the Drill Hall and
the Newtown upgrade.
Private developer Indluplace
Properties has purchased nine
large apartment blocks, taking
its total buildings in central
Johannesburg CBD, Berea and
Hillbrow to 23: 33% of the units
are bachelor pads and 22% are
two-bedroomed flats. ■
PHOTO: Joburg Tourism Company
31
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Transport and logistics
Logistics hubs are key to growth.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Gautrain is adding 148km.
Gautrain is set to expand.
A
total of 82% of South Africa’s air cargo is transported through
OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and Gauteng has
several cargo and freight handling facilities well-equipped
to deal with rail and road deliveries and despatches.
An example of the kind of facility that serves ORTIA is the
Riverfields Precinct in Ekurhuleni. Several established brands such as
DSV, John Deere, DB Schenker, Sanvick Mining and DHL are tenants
and new facilities for Shoprite and The Foschini Group are being built.
The existing facilities include Equites Park Riverfields 1 (also 16ha and
9km from the airport) and Equites Park Riverfields 2, which hosts two
major retailers on 43ha. A new section, Equites Park 3, covering 16
hectares, is currently in the planning phase. Equites Property Fund
has released marketing material related to the new area (to be called
Lords View): a gross lettable area of 430 450m² is situated on Allandale
Road (M39) which gives access to the north (via the N1 and R21) and
east (N12). The developers are expecting a new road to be built in
the future. The planned K232 will link Allandale and Marlboro Roads,
providing a direct link with the N3 and N12 ring roads.
A specific goal of the Provincial Government of Gauteng is to
make the Transnet Tambo-Springs Logistics Gateway the biggest
inland logistics hub and dry port in Africa by 2030.
The health of the transport and logistics networks of the province
is key to any economic growth plans. The provincial government
has identified logistics hubs,
the road network, intermodal
facilities, rolling stock, and buses
and taxis as key components
of the drive to transform,
modernise and reindustrialise
the regional economy.
A feasibility study to
examine extending the
Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated
Network has been completed.
The current network has 10
stations spread over 80km
and the extension would add
148km and 19 new stations. The
extended network will conclude
Phase 1 of the long-term plans
for Gautrain, with new lines
extending from Sandton to
Cosmo City, including stops in
Randburg and Little Falls in the
West Rand.
Two regional rail plans have
been in the news, with national
government announcing its
approval of a high-speed rail
link between Johannesburg
and Durban corridor to alleviate
the congestion that frequently
occurs on the busy N3 highway.
Another scheme that is often
referred to is to bolster rail
connections northwards
from Gauteng into Limpopo
Province, where the N1 highway
is overburdened. However,
discussion of neither of these
plans has been accompanied
by a reference to budgets.
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
32
PHOTO: Joburg Tourism Company

OVERVIEW
Road infrastructure projects are intended to bring in other major
investments and connect new economic nodes such as the Tambo
Springs Logistics Gateway, the planned new megacities (Vaal River
City and Lanseria), and the new Special Economic Zones with current
economic nodes and existing townships. Of the 18 major roads
identified for rehabilitation, upgrade and construction, especially in
Sedibeng and the West Rand, seven had been completed and handed
over by early 2024. The K73 Allandale Road and Hendrik Potgieter
Road in Roodepoort were among those completed. Waterfall City
and Kyalami are the next target areas for road improvements while
the planned Vaal interchange is set to be a major boost to economic
development in the Vaal region.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has a pipeline
of 67 projects with a combined value of R23-billion. Of these
projects, 13 – valued at R6.6-billion – are private-sector initiatives
and the various road, construction and design projects are expected
to be implemented over the decade to 2031. Among the private
companies that will be involved in projects are property companies
Attacq Waterfall Investment, Steyn City and Century Properties and
mining company Cullinan.
During Transport Month, the Gauteng Provincial Government
partnered with Diageo to provide 40 000 learner’s licence
opportunities to young people. Of these 10 000 were reserved for
motorbike licences to support the Last-Mile project. The Last-Mile
project is a collaboration between the provincial government, the
Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), Radah Skills
Academy, UberSA, BoltSA and Takealot. The intention is to make it
easier for young people in townships to earn incomes.
The Provincial Government of Gauteng is stressing the
importance of digital competence (“smart mobility”) in the transport
sector as ever-more complex transactions take place across
international borders. This will only grow as the effect of the African
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), signed in 2019, comes into
effect, allowing for greater and freer trade across the continent.
Airports
OR Tambo International Airport caters for more than 20-million
passengers every year.
Lanseria Airport to the north of Johannesburg has grown in
importance as a secondary airport for the country’s busiest business
ONLINE RESOURCES
Airports Company South Africa: www.acsa.co.za
CAMASA: www.camasa.co.za
South African Association of Freight Forwarders: saaff.org.za
South African National Roads Agency: www.sanral.co.za
Riverfields Precinct is well
located for logistics.
and commercial hub. It is a
convenient landing point for
travellers bound for regional
centres like Rustenburg in the
North West. Gauteng has several
smaller airports that host mostly
commercial aircraft:
• Rand Airport in Germiston
• Grand Central Airport in
Midrand
• Wonderboom Airport in
Pretoria North
• Waterkloof Air Force base,
south of Pretoria
The Commercial Aviation
Manufacturing Association
South Africa (CAMASA) reports
that 50 companies are active in
the sector, employing more than
3 000 people in highly skilled
jobs. Almost all the activity is
around Johannesburg and Cape
Town and the sector (which
encompasses aero-structures
and systems, manufacturing,
design and engineering) is
responsible for R3-billion in
exports every year. ■
PHOTO: Riverfields Precinct
33 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Tourism
The Big Four attract thousands of visitors.
As the most significant contributor to South Africa’s economy,
Johannesburg is unsurprisingly also home to many of the
biggest conference and exhibition centres.
In describing the many conferencing venues available in
the city, the Joburg Tourism Company has a category called Big Four.
In 2022, the Gauteng Provincial Government reported that it
supported events that generated R7-billion which helped to create
more than 17 000 opportunities to work.
In his first State of the Province Address in February 2024, Premier
Panyaza Lesufi noted the following tourism and hospitality highlights
in the previous year:
• nearly 8-million international arrivals
• which generated more than R98-billion
• nine airline routes to Gauteng reintroduced in 2023
GAUTENG’S BIG FOUR CONFERENCE VENUES
VENUE LOCATION FEATURE
Sandton Convention Centre
Johannesburg Expo Centre
Sandton, “Africa’s
richest square mile”
Nasrec, next to the FNB
Stadium and on the
edge of Soweto
Near to 30 hotels with more
than 1 300 four- and
five-star rooms.
Can accommodate up to
20 000 people.
Gallagher Convention Centre Midrand 27 venues on 32 hectares.
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit
& International Convention
Centre, pictured
Kyalami
Multiple venues set within an
FIA-rated Grand
Prix circuit.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Nine airline routes have
been reintroduced.
Growing Gauteng Together
(GGT2030) is a plan of action formulated
by the Gauteng Provincial Government
which intends to transform, modernise
and industrialise the provincial
economy. The expansion of the tourism
sector is seen as one of the key methods
of achieving those goals.
Among the provincial
government’s plans are positioning
the Magaliesburg, Vaal River City
and Suikersbosrand as destinations
of choice. The last-named site in
particular will be the subject of
a public-private partnership and
aspects will be commercialised. A
campaign to encourage visitors
will be launched to be called“ Visit
Gauteng: Zwakala”.
Meetings Africa 2024 was the
18th holding of this business events
trade show. The Sandton Convention
Centre was the venue for the event,
hosted by South African Tourism.
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
34
PHOTOS: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit

OVERVIEW
Hotels
The Southern Sun brand has been revived. The announcement
was made in 2022 that Tsogo Sun Hotels would be no more. The
Southern Sun group is focussed on hotels, with no casinos in its
31-property Gauteng portfolio. These range from several SUN1
facilities for budget travellers to the luxury of the 75-room 54 on Bath
in Rosebank. Nearby Sandton has seven Southern Sun properties,
including the Sandton Sun and Sandton Towers.
The Maslow Time Square, Pretoria, which also has conference
facilities, is one of two Sun International hotels linked to casinos. The
complex is pictured, below.
Tsogo Sun, as distinct from the deactivated Tsogo Sun Hotels, has
interests in casinos and gaming and runs seven hotels pairedwith
casinos in Gauteng. These include the Silverstar Hotel inside the
Silverstar Casino and Entertainment Complex in Mogale City, West
Rand, and there are four hotels at Montecasino.
Airlink, which ended its franchise agreement after SAA went into
business rescue, has signed deals with Qatar Airways, Emirates and
United Airlines, giving travellers easy access to a range of Southern
African destinations and St Helena.
Single-ticket arrangements and one-stop baggage check-ins will
facilitate easier travel in a difficult time. Airlink also has a service that
connects travellers with certain game lodges. Airlink boasts an ontime
performance consistently better than 95%.
Culture and history
Heritage tourism is a strong component of the tourism offering in
Gauteng. The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage
ONLINE RESOURCES
Cradle of Humankind: www.maropeng.co.za
Gauteng Tourism Authority: www.gauteng.net
Johannesburg Tourism Company: www.joburgtourism.com
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit: www.kyalamigrandprixcircuit.com
Site and attracts thousands
of visitors every year to the
interactive visitor’s centre at
Maropeng. The Sterkfontein
Caves have recently revealed
astonishing finds, showing
the origins of humanity
through artefacts such as
the 2.1-million-year-old skull
known as Mrs Ples.
The Origins Centre at the
University of Witwatersrand
provides more fascinating
insights into the origins of
mankind through art and
science. The Centre hosts
superb representations of Khoi
and San rock art.
History relating to the
struggle against apartheid
centres on attractions such as the
moving exhibitions housed at
the Apartheid Museum and the
history of the battle for human
rights and democracy embodied
in Constitution Hill which is a
living museum that tells the story
of South Africa’s journey to the
achievement of democracy in
1994. The site is a former prison
and military fort that graphically
illustrates South Africa’s difficult
past but as the home to the
country’s Constitutional Court, it
is also a positive symbol of the
battle for the rights of all citizens
which was won.
Freedom Park on Salvo
Kop overlooking Pretoria also
commemorates the struggle
for freedom in South Africa
but its narrative starts in the
pre-colonial era. Freedom Park
combines an examination
of South Africa’s history with
scenic beauty with superb
views over the capital city,
interactive exhibits and areas
set aside for reflection. ■
PHOTO: Sun International
35
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Education and training
Solar skills are in short supply.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Asbestos schools are to
be demolished.
The Engineering and Technology Academy has been
launched by Gauteng-based consulting engineering firm
Med-TechEngineers.
The academy is located a few kilometres north of the
company’s headquarters, with the appropriate address of 1 Mark
Shuttleworth Street, Innovation Centre, meaning that it forms part
of the cluster of knowledge-based enterprises that make up The
Innovation Hub.
Officially opened in July 2024, the Engineering and Technology
Academy is offering a five-day SAPVIA PV Green Card Training
course, accredited with the industry body, the South African
Photovoltaic Industry Association. The course includes a practical
installation day where participants mount a solar system on a
training roof, including cabling and commissioning. The training
of skills appropriate to renewable energy has not kept pace with
the growth of the sector in South Africa.
In 2023 the Gauteng Provincial Government introduced a
three-year tertiary bursary for the pupils who finished in the top
three positions in every township school. The provincial budget
has also allocated R6-billion for building new schools while mobile
schools and schools made from asbestos will be demolished with
the aid of an allocation from National Treasury.
The Schools of Specialisation programme will grow from
21 schools to 35 schools in the short term. The Soshanguve
Engineering School of Specialisation, which has a focus on
automotive skills, is an example of schools where there is a
particular emphasis on one sector.
Three of South Africa’s top five business schools are in Gauteng:
the Wits Business School, the University of South Africa’s (Unisa’s )
ONLINE RESOURCES
Gauteng Department of Education: www.education.gpg.gov.za
National Research Foundation: www.nrf.ac.za
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association: www.sapvia.co.za
Graduate School of Business
Leadership and the Gordon
Institute of Business Science,
on the Sandton campus of the
University of Pretoria.
Eighty percent of the 1 230
lecturers and researchers at the
University of the Witwatersrand
(Wits) have post-graduate
degrees, and 27 A-rated scientists
work there. The university offers
studies in more than 40 schools
in five faculties.
The popular annual TUKS
Robot Race Day has earned the
University of Pretoria a reputation
for making technology accessible.
In 2022 the university went a step
further with the launch of the
Robot and Sensor School.
While the Race Day is
limited to third-year students,
the new school aims to
expose schoolchildren to
concepts that go into creating
a robot such as CAD design,
programming and 3D printing.
Several university departments
are involved in the project
in which students from the
Engineering, Built Environment
and IT faculty give up their
time to create the hardware
and present modules to course
participants. The programme is
supported by RS South Africa,
a supplier of industrial and
electronic products. ■
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
36
PHOTO: Soutpan Solar

ICT
Gauteng data centres to be powered by Free State sun.
OVERVIEW
SECTOR INSIGHT
eKasiLabs supports
entrepreneurs.
Africa Data Centres, with large and expanding facilities in
Johannesburg and Cape Town, has become the latest data
centre company to construct a solar farm in order to secure
a reliable source of power.
A 20-year power-purchase agreement has been signed with DPA
Southern Africa, a joint company of Distributed Power Africa and the
French utility, EDF. The first 12MW will be delivered from a solar farm
near Bloemfontein in the Free State.
Africa Data Centres is part of the Cassava Technologies group of
companies which has built a 73 000km fibre network across Africa. The
company’s first data centre in Midrand, pictured, is being consistently
expanded, with the first phase of growth delivering an additional 20MW
with another 10MW additional capacity planned for the end of 2025.
The biggest data centre on African soil is under construction in
Ekurhuleni. Teraco Data Environments secured a R2.5-billion loan to
build the 50 000m² JB4 data centre on 6ha. The company already
runs four data centres and a teleport on four campuses. The new
30MW facility, JB5, will join JB1 and JB3 on the Isando Campus.
With several other global companies choosing to station their
South African headquarters in Gauteng, the province is well connected.
Johannesburg is also one of two South African cities to host a
Microsoft Azure data centre.
A Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) subsidiary,
The Innovation Hub, has a programme called eKasiLabs which
supports entrepreneurs and young people with good business ideas.
One of the provincial government’s stated goals is to get several
ICT initiatives to work together. If the work of The Innovation Hub,
ONLINE RESOURCES
eKasiLabs: www.theinnovationhub.com
Independent Communications Authority: www.icasa.org.za
Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za
several eKasi laboratories,
the Tshimologong precinct,
universities and research
institutes could be integrated,
a more powerful ecosystem
would be the result.
A High-Tech Special
Economic Zone (SEZ) is another
idea that is being pursued.
Making broadband connectivity
and free WiFi available to poor
households in the province
is another task. A Digital
Transformation Advisory Panel is
driving these initiatives.
Various large spatial plans
for the province include an
element whereby these new
cities or settlements will be built
as “smart cities”.
The Council for Scientific
and Industrial Research (CSIR) in
Pretoria hosts a new body aimed
at preparing South Africa for the
Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),
the South African Affiliate Centre
of the World Economic Forum.
The “Tshepo 1 Million”
campaign links the provincial
government with the successful
Harambee Youth Employment
Accelerator and more than 40
large companies.
Both Johannesburg and
Tshwane have free WiFi networks
with Tshwane providing 1GB
of data every day to its citizens
at various TshWi-Fi locations, at
speeds up to 15Mbps. ■
PHOTO: Africa Data Centres 37
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

OVERVIEW
Development finance
and SMME support
Provincial government is procuring from small businesses.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the Gauteng Provincial Government
spent R2.2-billion of its procurement budget with township
enterprises. This is a deliberate policy to bring township businesses
into the mainstream of the economy, and is part of a programme
which over five years has disbursed R15-billion.
In a similar vein, an amount of R14.5-billion was spent between
2019 and 2024 with enterprises owned by women, youth and
persons with disabilities. In addition, more than 4 000 township
retailers received training in 2023/24 in enterprise development,
learning various skills required to run a successful business. In terms
of paying SMMEs on time the Provincial Government announced in
February 2024 that 11 out of 14 departments had achieved 100%
compliance on 30-day payments, with two reaching 99%.
The 2024 Gauteng Accelerator Programme Innovation Competition
included a category called “Township Economy Revitalisation” and the
winners were Nexus (which introduces an adaptive modular systems
for modular construction), Elisheva Trading (agriprocessing, juices) and
MALLI Fintech, a cashless solution for paying for taxi rides.
The launch of the Jewellery Manufacturing Precinct within the OR
Tambo SEZ has not only been a boon to the big companies that have
located to the site, but 14 SMMEs in the sector have taken up residence
within the precinct.
The township market of about 250 000 township households
holds enormous potential for collective buying.
The Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) is linking
large companies with small businesses at Special Economic Zones
(SEZs). The aim is to create a pipeline for SMMEs.
The eKasiLabs programme is an extension of The Innovation Hub’s
service offering. Facilities are spread across the five economic corridors
of the province and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship
in townships is promoted. The facilities are located in Mohlakeng,
Sebokeng, Garankuwa, Soweto, Tembisa, Alexandra, Mamelodi, Kagiso,
Kathorus and Mabopane.
A Township Economic Development Bill aims to do away with
restrictive bylaws and rezone taxi ranks to allow for the growth of retail
outlets and services such as mechanics and panel-beaters.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Gauteng Growth and Development Agency: www.ggda.co.za
Small Enterprise Development Agency: www.seda.co.za
The Innovation Hub: www.theinnovationhub.com
SECTOR INSIGHT
14 SMMEs are active
in the Jewellery
Manufacturing Precinct.
Gauteng has 14 registered
co-operative banking institutions
serving more than 16 000
member-owners, with over
R100-million in savings and
R150-million in assets.
About half of South Africa’s
formal SMMEs operate in
Gauteng and more than half
are in the wholesale and retail
sector and the accommodation
sector. The next most popular
sectors are community, social
and personal services.
The Small Enterprise
Development Agency, Seda,
is an agency of the National
Department of Small Business
Development in South Africa
which offers customised nonfinancial
business support services.
Seda has branches in Ekurhuleni
(Kempton Park), Tshwane (Pretoria)
and Johannesburg which runs five
“Contact Points” at Vereeniging,
Soweto, Carltonville, Nigel and
Randfontein.
The national Youth
Employment Stimulus (YES)
programme has provided more
than 100 000 young people with
workplace experiences in Gauteng.
Other avenues for job creation
include the Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP). ■
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025
38

OVERVIEW
Banking and financial services
Taxis are going digital.
Taxi commuters no longer need to carry cash. Oratile Seabela’s
frustrations with the clumsy cash transactions that happened
on her daily commute inspired her to come up with an app
that would fix the problem.
Her MALLI Fintech app not only fixed the
problem, allowing commuters to use their phones
to scan QR code stickers on the taxi window, but
it has earned her support and accolades along
the way. A R200 000 grant from SAB Foundation
Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment
Awards allowed her to scale the business and in
2024 she was one of the winners in the Gauteng
Accelerator Programme (GAP) awards, in the
Township Economy Revitalisation section. Seabela’s
app could have served as the poster for the theme
of the 2024 annual awards, which took place under
the heading, “Solving Societal Challenges Through
Technology Innovation.”
Financial services company Old Mutual has been granted approval
by the Prudential Authority to establish a bank, subject to certain
licence conditions. With more than 30 000 employees in 14 countries,
Old Mutual is best known for insurance, but it is now on the path to
establishing a full-service bank. For some time, the group has offered
the Money Account, a low-cost transactional account which doubles
as a unit trust savings account. This product was offered by Old Mutual
Transaction Services in association with Bidvest Bank Ltd and Old
Mutual Investment Administrators.
Three other new banks are in the pipeline and have received
regulatory approval: the Young Women in Business Network (YWBN)
Mutual Bank, Postbank (a state entity) and the SA Innovative Financial
Services Cooperative (SAIFSC), which will be run by the Department
of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities.
While South Africa’s Big Four – Absa, FirstRand, Nedbank and
Standard Bank – continue to play a big role in the banking sector, a
feature of the 21st century has been the expansion of the financial
ONLINE RESOURCES
Association for Savings and Investment South Africa: www.asisa.org.za
Chartered Institute of Government Finance, Audit and Risk Officers:
www.cigfaro.co.za
Financial Sector Conduct Authority: www.fsca.co.za
SECTOR INSIGHT
Old Mutual is launching
a bank.
services sector, in large measure
driven by digital offerings from
smaller banks. Capitec was one
of the first, followed by Discovery
Bank and Zero Bank.
From 2017, a number of
new stock exchanges have been
established, further evidence of
an opening up of what had for
many years been a static sector.
The Competition Tribunal
has unconditionally approved
TymeBank’s purchase of Retail
Capital, a fintech SMME funder.
TymeBank, which is majority
owned by Patrice Motsepe’s
African Rainbow Capital, has
been moving beyond its basic
banking model recently and
this purchase indicates another
broadening of the scope of the
bank’s ambitions. TymeBank has
also signed a deal with TFG to
expand its retail operations. ■
PHOTO: Vukile Makau on Pexels
39
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2025

SACCI member
chambers, Gauteng
The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
SACCI, has several member chambers in Gauteng.
SACCI contact details
Tel: +27 11 446 3800
Email: info@sacci.org.za
Website: www.sacci.org.za
Diamond Chamber of Commerce
Based in Cullinan, serving Region 5 of
Tshwane
Tel: +27 (12) 305 2501
Email: info@diamondchamber.co.za
Facebook: CullinanChamber
Small Business Chamber Africa
Mobile: 084 852 5304
Facebook: SmallBusinessChamberAfrica
Soweto Enterprise Chamber
Tel: 010 109 1422 | 0607913097
Email: info@sowetoenterprisechamber.co.za
https://sowetobusinesschamber.my.canva.site/the-voicetownship-business
Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
General Manager
Tel: +27 (11) 815 5750/1/2
Mobile: 082 450 1130
Email: manager@easterngautengchamber.co.za
Website: www.easterngautengchamber.co.za
Greater Boksburg Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
Tel: +27 (10) 285 0313
Email: admin@gbcci.co.za
Website: www.gbcci.co.za
Randburg Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (RCCI)
Tel: 086 101 9218
Email: admin@rcci.co.za
Website: www.rcci.co.za
SACCI regularly hosts and holds meetings with
business delegations from foreign countries.
South Africa-Nigeria Business Chamber
Business development and events
Cell: 082 323 5346
Email: office@sa-nigeriachamber.co.za
Visas and administration
Cell: 082 331 4225
Email: info@sa-nigeriachamber.co.za
Website: www.sa-nigeriachamber.co.za

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