Ekurhuleni at a glance

Fast facts

• The Metro was formed in 2000 and includes the towns of Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Daveyton, Brakpan, Duduza, Edenvale, Etwatwa, Germiston, Katlehong, Kempton Park, KwaThema, Nigel, Springs, Tembisa, Thokoza, Tsakane and Vosloorus.
• Population 2.6 million (2008)
• Ekurhuleni means “place of peace” in Xitsonga
• The district covers an area of about 2 000km² and is highly urbanised with a population density of 1 400 people per km², almost three times the density of Gauteng as a whole
• OR Tambo International Airport is located in Ekurhuleni, along with a choice of hotels in close proximity for overnight and in-transit travellers. Gauteng’s well-planned road network fans out from this location
• The original settlement, Benoni, was established in 1881. Legend tells of a land surveyor who battled so much with the lie of the land that he named the town Ben-Oni – “son of sorrow” in Hebrew – out of frustration.

People and economy

Photo courtesy wikimedia.org

• Ekurhuleni has a strong, established manufacturing base which provides formal employment for much of the region’s population. From mining and heavy manufacturing to light industry and FMCG, the region forms an important part of Gauteng’s economic engine room
• Data between 1980 and 1999 indicates that while formal employment has declined slightly, the number of companies operating on the East Rand has risen significantly. Most of these newcomers are small, agile start-ups, which testify to the absorption capacity of the wider economy, as well as the entrepreneurial character of local businesspeople
• Well-planned and serviced industrial estates along major arterial highways are prolific. They remain at full rental capacity despite the economic downturn of 2008-2009
• OR Tambo International Airport and the air transport, logistics and travel-related industries it supports is a growth node in Ekurhuleni. The Ekurhuleni Development Corporation manages about 1 400 municipal housing units in the region. Its mandate is to increase this to 15 000 units over the next few years.
• Ekurhuleni enjoys a healthy consumer-driven retail economy. Surrounding suburbs range from Living Standards Measure (LSM) 3-4 to the high-end LSM 7-9 range, with the mid bands (5-6) also well represented. LSM is an index that groups the population into 10 groups according to 29 wealth and access indicators , with 10 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Attractions at a glance

• Gauteng’s Chinese population is growing and with it the province’s Chinatown, located in Cyrildene. There is the standard array of family run restaurants, interesting grocers and shops selling Asian foodstuffs, traditional medicines and delightful Chinese kitsch
• OR Tambo Museum (formerly the Benoni Museum) highlights the area’s cultural diversity and important political events that took place in Ekurhuleni. There is also a collection of African pottery, traditional musical instruments and rare weavings on display
• Emperor’s Palace in Kempton Park is a casino and resort close to OR Tambo International Airport, while Carnival City in Brakpan hosts international music events in addition to its world-class gaming facilities and choice of restaurants
• Mandela Freedom Museum at the Emperor’s Palace Casino in Kempton Park is devoted to the life and legacy of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Visitors retrace his footsteps from his rural childhood in Qunu in the Eastern Cape, through his early career, the famous Rivonia treason trial and subsequent imprisonment on Robben Island, to his political triumph in 1994
• Other attractions include the Ubunye Museum, slain struggle leader Chris Hani’s gravesite in Boksburg, the AECI Dynamite Factory Museum in Edenvale, the Aviation Museum of South Africa in Germiston, the Thokoza Monument, and guided tours of Daveyton and Wattville, where you can listen to township jazz and visit a sangoma (traditional healer)
• Sibikwa Community Theatre in Benoni offers a unique glimpse into township theatre and dance, by appointment only  
• The 11km-long Blesbokspruit hiking trail is a well-marked path which threads its way through the Benoni Lakes, a series of four pans, which offer boating and other activities for water enthusiasts
• The Vic Penning Bird Sanctuary and Leeupan both offer good birdwatching opportunities
• Springs, in the far east of the district, is famous for its art deco buildings (the town centre has 34) and architectural tours are available through the City Council
• Shopping in Ekurhuleni varies from the giant Eastgate Shopping Centre in Bedfordview and the nearby Bruma flea market to Uncle Tim’s Cabin in Benoni – a charming collection of 20 shops housed in Victorian buildings which sell artwork and crafts, wrought iron artefacts, antiques and bric-a-brac
• An array of family-owned lodges, guesthouses and B&Bs located throughout Ekurhuleni offer a wide choice in accommodation 
• Contact the Ekurhuleni Tourism Office on +27 (0) 11 456 0122.

Download the Gauteng Ekurhuleni fact sheet