FOR Kempton Park, the metro’s Aerotropolis programme means huge infrastructure development plans that will boost the city’s trade and industry and create thousands of much-needed jobs for the unemployed.
Delivering his State of the City address in Germiston on Wednesday, executive mayor, Mondli Gungubele, said: “It should be noted that the implementation of the Aerotropolis programme in Ekurhuleni intends to balance the distribution of economic activity between the nine affluent areas and the seventeen townships of Ekurhuleni.
“The Aerotropolis concept has been very successful in airport cities of Asia, Europe and North America; hence the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis programme offers a unique opportunity to apply lessons learnt at these airports to develop a truly African solution to our economic system,” Gungubele said.The first wave of projects have been induced in Kempton Park, including the building of a PRASA Nerve Centre next to Kaalfontein Station worth R300 million, which is part of the R4 billion tender station upgrade programme by the rail services agency.
The second instalment of the projects is the development of a head office and training academy for Air Traffic and Navigation Services in Isando.
The third project is the Peermont Group’s R320 million extension of Emperor’s Palace.
So far, almost R790 million has been invested into a number of projects along the Albertina Sisulu/R21 corridor, which have created just over 1 500 jobs.
As a result, the R21 Expressway now features buildings that house companies such as John Deere, DB Schenker, DBZ Eng, DHL Global Warehouse, DHL Global Head Office, Wurth, Jonson’s Workwear, TAL Warehouse, Fast Freight, DHL Supply Chain, DB Schenker, Takealot and many more.
Other interesting developments in and around the Aerotropolis catchment area include:
• The Riverfields development in Kempton Park, which is a mixed-use development strategically located on the Portion of farm Witfontein 15-IR north east of the existing Kempton Park CBD and the Albertina Sisulu Freeway (R21), situated between OR Tambo International Airport and Tshwane;
• Glen Erasmia Boulevard (430 residential stands) and Zimbali Cluster Development in Kempton Park;
• Gleneagle Estate (392 residential stands), four cluster developments (to be developed), clubhouse, tennis court, squash court and extensive parks;
• Gleneagle Office Park in Kempton Park, which is currently being serviced and is practically sold out; and the
• Plumbago Business and Logistics Parks in Kempton Park, which is fully serviced and in the process of being developed. John Deere and Blue Sky Logistics have already taken occupation.
“It is envisaged that the Riverfields Retail Mall in Kempton Park will be established on the south-western intersection of the R21 and R25. This is a mixed-use and integrated development which includes residential, business, commercial, industrial, retail and other ancillary uses such as parks, recreational facilities, hotels, a hospital, schools and more.
“Another mega project along the R21 corridor is the M-T Development mixed-use development which involves 21 industrial parks, medium density residential dwelling units, mixed land-use (business, retail, showrooms, residential), offices, warehousing and distribution and educational facilities. This project is estimated at R50 billion over 15 years,” Gungubele said.
A further 18 new mixed development projects, ranging from industrial, commercial and residential, have also been planned for the Pomona area.
The city also recently hosted the third and biggest instalment of the Air Cargo Africa Conference and Expo at Emperor’s Palace, which was attended by local and global stakeholders.
The conference served as a key networking platform for leaders in the air cargo industry to assess the growing prospects of the African market.
“It is reported that by 2014, South Africa handled almost 360 000 tons of air freight, wherein 90% of that volume was handled through OR Tambo International Airport. It is further projected that air cargo traffic that is handled through OR Tambo will reach 550 000 by 2025, thus placing our airport as a key role-player in the regional logistics and air cargo activities.”
These increased air linkages between OR Tambo and the African continent played a critical roll in fostering inward investment growth. This means a major accelerator of growth for the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis will be the increase in the volume of foreign direct investment as South Africa, and OR Tambo in particular, continue to be generally viewed as the gateway to Africa and the world.
