1. CASE IN POINT
by CD Anderson
Go West Man...
Young
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Maropeng,
West Rand, is one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations.
Extending from Randfontein in the west to Roodepoort in the east and including the
towns of Krugersdorp and Magaliesburg, the West Rand region grew out of the 19th
century Witwatersrand gold rush.

2. CASE IN POINT
T
oday, although much of this area still has a strong
mining and industrial culture, it remains rural
and largely unspoilt, yet juxtaposes its beautiful
scenery and favourable climate with growing environ-
mental and social issues, which the West Rand District
Municipality (WRDM), comprising the local munici-
palities of Mogale City, Merafong City, Randfontein
and Westonaria, hopes to address and solve by 2016.
“The process of Vision 2016 must be characterised
by inclusivity,” Mayor Nawa says adamantly, “as
councillors, we must be community leaders, while
all sectors of the region, from economy, civil
society, as well as public and private sectors, must
work together and find the best way to build unity
for the municipality and the people of the area.”
Executive Mayor Mpho Nawa is a home town son
who wants to make the region the pride of Gauteng,
promising a vibrant expansion for business, tourism
and the community, all the while emphasising that the
growth in the region will be environmentally sound and
for the paramount benefit of all who live here. Nawa
comes from a public management background, with a
Masters degree from the University of Witwatersrand,
and a long career in the public service sector. Nawa was
officially inaugurated as mayor in September 2010.
He explains that for logistical reasons, the four re-
gions have been brought under the controlling umbrella
of the WRDM, saying that “it is more cost effective for
the region, and in order to cut down on poor manage-
ment experienced in the previous structures, my empha-
sis now is to lead a process of integration of the four mu-
nicipalities successfully, so that by 2016, we may have an
effective and well-run municipality.”
Nawa says that of the six Gauteng regions, the West
Rand has been one of the poorer regions, experiencing
Mpho Nawa, Executive Mayor, West
much economic fallout for its citizens, mainly due to
the drop in operations from the mining and industrial
Rand District Municipality
sectors. “Historically, the area has been a strong min-
ing region, born out of the discovery of gold in the
1880s. However, over the last 20 years, there has been a
sharp decline in mining activity, which in turn has led
to an economic decline for the people of the region,”
Nawa explains. The social implications of this, he says,
need to be addressed with good planning and strong
projects that not only benefit the people of the West
Rand, but also inspire business and people to return

3. CASE IN POINT
to the region. Nawa calls this the area’s Vision 2016 – emphasise recycling and environmentally safe living for
to create a strong economy and thus inspire residents’ our people, so that we can all help in delivering on these
social upliftment. promises,” Nawa explains. The importance of sustain-
“The process of Vision 2016 must be characterised able development is the WRDM’s critical message to the
by inclusivity,” Nawa says adamantly. “As councillors, residents of the region.
we must be community leaders, while all sectors of the The other important key to the West Rand’s journey
region, from economy, civil society, as well as public and to success is the role of tourism in creating employment,
private sectors, must work together and find the best spurring entrepreneurship and building a strong econo-
way to build unity for the municipality and the people my. As Nawa says, “the area carries some good oppor-
of the area.” tunities for getting visitors into the region.” The region
The WRDM is keen to emphasise this inclusivity, and includes some of best attractions that not only build its
not do things along racial lines. “We want everyone to name, but also help to create employment. In addition
be part of the process, in a non-racial and non-partisan to the renowned World Heritage Site, Cradle of Human-
union around the concept of improving the region for kind that welcomes thousands of tourists, both local and
all,” Nawa states; an idea that would involve all political international, every year, the West Rand also offers some
parties in the area. “This goal for 2016 must be charac- top class accommodation and sight seeing through the
terised by cultural trust, service and stewardship,” he Magaliesburg Meander. The nearby gateway, Lanseria
says, “where all of us, no matter what race, age, gender, International Airport also contributes to both the tour-
religion or political belief, can be part of successfully ism and business potential.
building this region up again.”
Part of the success of the plan, Nawa says, is to think
outside of the box, and approach building the economy The Municipality will make
with different, new ideas that use the uniqueness of the environmental infrastructure
area, things that, in the case of the West Rand, include
tourism, green issues and agriculture.
development part of the vision for the
“We have taken the view that the area has the ability building up of the West Rand area.
to build a strong green economy around environmental
issues and tourism interests,” he explains.
The Municipality will make environmental infra- So how does the region go about attracting
structure development part of the vision for the building interest for their cause?
up of the area, “This area has the land available to sus- “Our West Rand Development Agency is our main
tain a strong agricultural economy, not only in the con- vehicle for economic development in the region. The
ventional sense, but also in the environmental sense, like Agency is also responsible for attracting investment in
the building of solar energy farms that can supply power the area,” Nawa says. The WRDM’s approach to procure-
to the region,” Nawa says. Part of this also includes the ment with either government or big business is that it
usage of landfills to create energy and reducing mine must be a true reflection of the development of the econ-
dumps that are scattered across the region, in order to omy, “that’s why we want to emphasise the relationships
reclaim precious land and use them more productively. with co-operatives, not with individual companies. We
The role of emerging farmers, with a close proximity to want to develop a close working relationship with the
the Johannesburg fresh-produce market, is also key to Department of Education, which will ensure that school-
developing opportunities in the Small Micro and Me- ing becomes effective in our region. It’s important that
dium Enterprises in the agricultural sectors. local governments become more involved in education,
There will also be an initiative to increase the number because it is not just a provincial mandate,” Nawa says.
of trees in the area, as well the creation of green areas In the grand design for empowering the region,
that will be to the benefit of the population living here. Mayor Nawa wants the West Rand to become a stronger,
“Greening of the region is going to be the core goal for but effective player in the Gauteng province that can
the 2016 vision,” he says, “and we have promised that hold its own against other areas that may have more
over the next two years we will have planted 15 000 trees strategic importance or have economic prominence. Yet,
in the area. With help from the private sector, we will he would want the region to fulfil a need for strong en-
be able to mobilise donations of trees to fulfil that goal.” vironmental and agricultural growth for the rest of the
Important also, is the building of the residents’ knowl- province. “We think we can become, through our agri-
edge around green issues and getting them involved cultural and environmental initiatives, the ‘food basket’
in helping to make the projects a success. “We want to of Gauteng,” he concludes.