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Johannesburg:A w o r l d c l A s s c i t y

© Walter Knirr / City of Johnnesburg

Johannesburg:the City of Johannesburg FEAtUrE

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Johannesburg is where the money is and

where deals are made. Ian armitage delves

into plans to boost the city and transform

life for many.

Johannesburg was built on gold - almost literally because the city was the site of some of the most productive discoveries a century

ago. Although gold mining and ancillary industries still provide thousands of jobs, mining is increasingly less important to the city than the manufacturing, retail and financial sectors.

All the big banking and investment institutions have their headquarters in Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is the centre of the capital markets for the whole of southern Africa. “There are only few South African companies which are not represented here,” says Jason Ngobeni executive director for Economic Development in the City.

But Johannesburg is eager for more. “We have a long-term strategy that is shaping the city’s future and to enabling us to position ourselves to grasp emerging opportunities,” says Ngobeni. “We are a primary business city, a dynamic centre of production, innovation, trade, finance and services.”

As Africa’s economic hub, Johannesburg is the place where business starts, Ngobeni says. It is where the money is and where deals are made. “We are an attractive, growth city. We attribute that to our visionary plans, diversification to fast growing sectors, socio-economic development and building a good climate for foreign direct investment.”

Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) is the city’s plan to ensure sustainable delivery of services, deal with social and economic development, involve residents in local government and promote a safe and healthy environment. “As well as this, the city has formulated a number of related plans and policies,” says Ngobeni. “We

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1. GatewaytoAfrica’smarkets.

2. Africa’seconomicpowerhouseandoneoftheworld’sleadingemergingmarketeconomies.

3. Stabledemocracyandwell-structuredregulatoryenvironment.

4. Qualityofinstitutionsrecognisedinglobalcompetitivenesssurveys.

5. FinancialmarketsophisticationandhometoAfrica’slargeststockexchange.

6. Enablingenvironmentandincentivesforinvestorsonnational,regionalandcitylevels.

7. Excellenttransportandtelecommunicationsinfrastructureservices.

8. Freightandlogisticshub:Africa’slargestinlandport,SA’slargestcontainerdepotandAfrica’slargestfreightandpassengerairporthub.

9. LowcostoflivingandleastexpensiveAfricancity.

10. ShoppingMeccaforsub-SaharanAfricaandstrongcross-bordertrade.

to Invest in Johannesburg

the City of Johannesburg FEAtUrE

have set ourselves very comprehensive and ambitious targets.”

CHANGING THE FACE OF SOWETO Retail is big in Johannesburg. It is a favourite destination for retailers from sub-Saharan countries, particularly those from South Africa’s neighbours. The city has a number of large retail precincts; the inner city business district and the Sandton City precinct are two of the biggest.

“One of our major investments has been the Soweto Retail Strategy,” says Ngobeni. “Soweto is one of the biggest townships in South Africa and over the years we have really transformed it into an economic hive. It is now

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a fully-fledged socio-economic area where you have a mix of residents, office and retail. We have attracted quite substantial retail investment in Soweto.”

The face of Soweto is also changing with the establishment of the Soweto Empowerment Zone, a support facility for small businesses in the township.

“The retail boom and the establishment of the Soweto Empowerment Zone signal a change for Soweto,” Ngobeni says. “It is a programme that supports and promotes Soweto-based small medium and micro enterprises.”

The plan is to develop and grow BBE small medium and micro enterprises through developing and strengthening links with

established businesses and service providers, each anchored by a “sector champion”. This would then be rolled out to other townships.

“The sector champion would be a big name from that industry, which will provide business support services like marketing, quality control and capacity building to small business.”

DIGITAL CITYJohannesburg is also on a drive to become a so-called digital city. A modern information and communications technology

infrastructure is already in place and has helped position it as a leader in the growing business process outsourcing industry. But the industry is competitive and the plan aims

We have aggressively

reduced poverty levels and have been increasing

employment

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to reduce the cost of telecommunications, improve service delivery and increase access to information technology.

“Ericsson is the service provider on this project and is partnering us in our broadband network project,” says Ngobeni. “Access to broadband is a key driver of economic growth and wealth generation. Through this initiative we will ensure that all the citizens of Joburg gain access to universally available, reliable and affordable broadband.”

He considers broadband access to be as important as the provision of water and electricity. “The benefits and possibilities of a digital city are numerous for not only the city and its entities but for residents, business, hospitals, educational institutions, tourism and entertainment.”

The Johannesburg Broadband Network Project aims to build a strong ICT infrastructure for the city and to bring ICT closer to citizens at a cost effective price, by selling off spare capacity to operators. Ericsson was chosen for its ability to supply an end-to-end solution, extensive experience in delivering similar networks around the world, a strong local presence and commitment to empowerment and skills transfer. “From the outset, we focused on finding a partner that had the right credentials to deliver on an initiative of this size,” says Ngobeni.

ON THE RIGHT TRACKJohannesburg is certainly on the right track and its long-term vision is to be admired. The city is aiming for an economic growth rate of 9 percent by 2014.

“We, through the programmes I have outline and many others I haven’t that we are operating, have made great strides forward,”

says Ngobeni. “We have aggressively reduced poverty levels and have been increasing employment. The population is, in general, better educated than our rivals. We have a number of citizens with degrees, for instance.

“We have done substantial work on enterprise development,” he adds. “We want to constantly grow the economy and always look for ways to do it, whether it be by policy or whatever. We want to make sure the city supports economic growth.

“We have worked hard to ensure that the poor are properly integrated. This is important as well. We have also reviewed all of our policies in the city that interface with investors when they come here. We have reviewed them in terms of what is in those policies that might be inhibiting investment

or might be making it difficult for investors to come to Johannesburg and we are in the process of reviewing those policies to make sure they work and enable investment.”

Johannesburg is an “ideal” investment destination, Ngobeni stresses. “Something we must mention is the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup provided the impetus for investment in infrastructure

but ensured a lasting legacy, with an improved inter-modal transport network as well as communications and power generation. The tournament also brought an increased number of people to the city and it has altered the landscape for tourism in southern Africa. There has also been a reputational boost for South Africa that can help bring inward investment and visitors.”

Johannesburg played a trend-setting role in developments for the World Cup, Ngobeni says, and has certainly benefited from Gauteng Province’s R40 billion boost for infrastructure. eND

The World Cup provided

the impetus for investment in

infrastructure

the City of Johannesburg FEAtUrE

Lebohang Project Management (Pty) Ltd is a wholly South African, young, dynamicconsulting engineering company which strives for Client Excellence by handling eachproject in an innovative, creative and strategic manner. We believe that one size doesnot fi t all and thus consult and customise solutions for each client and project asrequired. We have a fast growing professional team, committed to service excellence tomeet client requirements and exceed their expectations. We are proud to announce thatwe have a level 4 BEE Certifi cate and are thus 100% contributor to BBBEE. We are alsoa member fi rm of the Consulting Engineers of South Africa (CESA).Lebohang Project Management (Pty) Ltd is proud to be a part of the City of Johannesburgand South Africa’s Economic Development initiatives by providing turnkey electricalinfrastructure solutions to RDP, low cost and mixed income communities – we believe inequal opportunities for everyone. Bringing electricity to communities from informalsettlements to RDP and low-income housing is much more than just providing a service,but is rather about creating equal opportunities and impacting on everyone in the community.We prescribe to the principle of sustainability and prosperity for all, and in doing sohave developed a concept of turnkey solution that involves and creates opportunities forcompanies and people that have been previously negated these opportunities.We have for a number of years focused on social housing and developed a uniqueturnkey electrical infrastructure solution. This unique solution encompasses consulting,design, project management, training, manufacturing and supply of equipment with the preoccupation in mind of making use of alternative sources of energy, energy savingequipment and involvement of local fi rms and communities through the entire process.We believe that in doing so we contribute to

LEBOHANG PROJECT MANAGEMENT (PTY) LTD

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This Eco Park is one of the fi rst of its kind and falls in line with our company’s philosophy of a

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Alexandra Ext9

Mountainview

Mountainview

Alexandra Ext9

Lebohang Project Management (Pty) Ltd is a wholly South African, young, dynamicconsulting engineering company which strives for Client Excellence by handling eachproject in an innovative, creative and strategic manner. We believe that one size doesnot fi t all and thus consult and customise solutions for each client and project asrequired. We have a fast growing professional team, committed to service excellence tomeet client requirements and exceed their expectations. We are proud to announce thatwe have a level 4 BEE Certifi cate and are thus 100% contributor to BBBEE. We are alsoa member fi rm of the Consulting Engineers of South Africa (CESA).Lebohang Project Management (Pty) Ltd is proud to be a part of the City of Johannesburgand South Africa’s Economic Development initiatives by providing turnkey electricalinfrastructure solutions to RDP, low cost and mixed income communities – we believe inequal opportunities for everyone. Bringing electricity to communities from informalsettlements to RDP and low-income housing is much more than just providing a service,but is rather about creating equal opportunities and impacting on everyone in the community.We prescribe to the principle of sustainability and prosperity for all, and in doing sohave developed a concept of turnkey solution that involves and creates opportunities forcompanies and people that have been previously negated these opportunities.We have for a number of years focused on social housing and developed a uniqueturnkey electrical infrastructure solution. This unique solution encompasses consulting,design, project management, training, manufacturing and supply of equipment with the preoccupation in mind of making use of alternative sources of energy, energy savingequipment and involvement of local fi rms and communities through the entire process.We believe that in doing so we contribute to

LEBOHANG PROJECT MANAGEMENT (PTY) LTD

Headquarters: Green Park Sandton Commercial offi ces

AAA+ Green Star rated offi ces.

This Eco Park is one of the fi rst of its kind and falls in line with our company’s philosophy of a

“greener” South Africa.

the alleviation of poverty by involving local communities, providing training to small fi rms, creating temporary jobs in each of our projects and fi nally deliver a product that is cost effective and of sustainable quality.“Lebohang” is a Sesotho name which means to “Be Thankful”. At Lebohang ProjectManagement we are sincerely thankful to all that have afforded us the opportunity tocontribute albeit in a small way to a better and more prosperous country.We are proud to be part of a number of selected ground breaking housing initiatives in South Africa, of which some are highlighted below:Lufhereng is one of South Africa’s biggest housing projects comprising of 24 000households with an expected 110 000 people expected to make Lufhereng their home aspart of the “Breaking New Ground Initiative”. As part of Governments approach to theutilisation of “Green Energy” and reducing the South Africa’s “carbon footprint”, thisdevelopment will make provision for Solar Heating and Induction Street Lightingtechnologies.Mountainview entailed the electrifi cation of 1757 households with street lighting thusproviding upliftment and a better quality of life for the community which is now evidentwith the local clinic in full operation.Alexandra X9 comprises of approximately 3116 connections which are currently beingelectrifi ed in line with the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP) whose purpose is to upgradethe living conditions and human development potential within Alexandra. Alexandraforms part of the South African government’s Integrated Sustainable Rural Developmentand Urban Renewal Programme. This programme is a key component of theGovernment’s approach to addressing urbanisation and housing challenges in SouthAfrica and comprises the integrated development of an area addressing economic, social and physical challenges simultaneously.

Alexandra Ext9

Mountainview

Mountainview

Alexandra Ext9

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