Johannesburg

City of Johannesburg

J OHANNESBURG is the largest city in South Africa by population and the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa.

The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world and is also the world's largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline.

Mining was the foundation of the city’s economy, but its importance is gradually declining due to dwindling reserves and service and manufacturing industries have become more significant to the city's economy.

While gold mining no longer takes place within the city limits, most mining companies still have their headquarters in Johannesburg. The city's manufacturing industries extend across a range of areas and there is still a reliance on heavy industries including steel and cement plants. The service and other industries include banking, IT, real estate, transport, broadcast and print media, private health care, transport and a vibrant leisure and consumer retail market.

FAST FACTS

>> Municipal website
>>Joburg IDP

Population 2010:
3.775 million

Surface area covered:
over 1,644km²

Personnel:
662 municipal staff per 100,000 population;
200 councillors.

Size of economy GDP 2010:
R408 billion

GDP 2010 per person:
R108,094

Keeping the city running is the City of Johannesburg, the municipal entity responsible for local government delivery.

The city has been divided into seven administrative regions, each serving households in that region, with the idea that smaller regions will be in closer contact with local communities. The regions have their own management structures, each headed by a regional director. The regions run certain services such as libraries, community clinics, sports facilities, housing and social services.

The long term strategy for the municipality is to continue to lead as South Africa's primary business centre, a dynamic centre of production, innovation, trade, finance and services.

The municipality’s growth and development strategy seeks to position the city as a hub of opportunity where the benefits of balanced economic growth will be shared by all residents. The intended result is a more equitable and spatially integrated city where resident enjoy decent accommodation, excellent services, the highest standards of health and safety and quality community life in sustainable neighbourhoods and vibrant urban spaces.

The City of Johannesburg adopted a set of six core development principles informed by clear political choices that emerged through local, national and provincial policy directions. The principles are: proactive absorption of the poor; balanced and shared growth; facilitated social mobility and equality; settlement restructuring; sustainability and environmental justice; and innovative governance solutions.

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