Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
North West
South Africa
Sector
Investment success story
Merafong Flora is a community project situated roughly 7km from Merafong City Local Municipality in Carletonville, adjacent to the Living Gold Rose Farm. The 25-hectare project was funded by West Rand District Municipality (WRDM), the Department of Economic Affairs and the Rand Water Foundation. The project was established and commenced in 2004 with the development of initial infrastructure. The project has over 22 different foliage and flowers, and has created 56 permanent and over 141 casual jobs to date, targeting youth - both male and female - within Merafong City Local Municipality. Due to the new municipal boundaries, the project is currently managed from Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality instead of WRDM.
The project produce is sold through Multi Flora in Johannesburg, the Pretoria Flower Market, Living Gold, and florists around Carletonville and Randfontein.
Objectives of the projects that have been met include:
- Establishing a self-sustainable cut-foliage facility
- Developing a skilled workforce
- Addressing unemployment and economic empowerment
- Producing products of a superior standard
For information on similar projects in the municipality contact Dr Monty Mongake on +27 18 473 8000 or email mongake@sdm.org.za
About the Southern District Municipality
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality is the smallest of four Districts in the North West in terms of size. It comprises the local municipalities of Ventersdorp, Matlosana, Tlokwe, Maquassi hills and Merafong. The municipality borders Free State to the south, Gauteng to the east, and is carpeted with maize and sunflower fields. Agriculture is a significant economic sector in this district, but not as significant as mining. The region is home to the largest gold mine in the world, one of the oldest meteor impact sites in the world (and the largest in South Africa), the site of the establishment of the first capital city in the northern areas of South Africa, and some of the best education, sport and medical facilities on the African continent.
Main business sectors
The sectors with most potential are:
- Agriculture
- Agro-processing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Environmentally-friendly technologies
- Tourism
- Composite materials manufacturing
- Chemicals and fertilisers
- Property development
- Information and communications technology
- Education and training services
- Health services
Although the area, as South Africa in general, faces important challenges in terms of poverty alleviation, the local governments in the District are determined to effectively address poverty and the lack of access to basic services. The Integrated Development Plans of the municipalities in the region provides 5-year plans supported by capital budgets to fast-track the development of all the people in this culturally rich and diversified area of Africa.
For more information, contact the municipality directly:
Dr Monty Mongake
+27 18 473 8000
mongake@sdm.org.za
