The South Rand’s Amalgam and its unique role in growing Johannesburg

Johannesburg is a multifaceted city with each region having its own unique personality. The northern region is the commercial heartbeat of the city as it is home to the stock exchange and a diverse network of multinational and blue-chip clients. It is also synonymous with prominent suburbs such as Sandton, Rosebank and Melville. Heading towards the north west of Johannesburg will bring you to the rapidly growing areas of Roodepoort and Randburg which meticulously balance rich farmland and a growing middle class. In the eastern region you will find the East Rand which is home to some of the oldest suburbs in the city, and heading inwards to the inner city is a vibrant CBD with a growing commercial market. Finally, there is the industrious South Rand where you will find a range of manufacturing, warehousing and logistics companies.

As a whole, the city can be viewed as a well oiled machine with each component performing a unique and important function. However, many regions have been greatly overshadowed by the formidable northern suburbs, and this is unfortunate as the growth of Johannesburg is not exclusively owed to one region, but all regions working together as a unit. In particular, the South Rand is one such overlooked region and yet its very existence has notably furthered the provincial and national economy, built industries and reduced unemployment.

The history of the South Rand is steeped in inequality and underdevelopment, such factors that make its current progress all the more triumphant. At the height of the Apartheid regime in South Africa, the region was home to one of Johannesburg’s lowest income brackets, large informal settlements, unemployment and widespread poverty. Although 27 years after the fall of the regime and the rise of democracy many of these disparities still remain, the extent of it has been significantly improved.

This progress is spearheaded by the South Rand’s industrial sector which is home to an ever-expanding number of industries. These businesses have made the region their home due to premium infrastructure, well-maintained road networks and its close proximity to Johannesburg’s inner city and the OR Tambo International Airport.

Although many suburbs within the South Rand have helped develop the region, Amalgam, in particular, plays an instrumental role in regulating the region’s economy and the livelihoods of the community. Situated near Mayfair and Fordsburg, Amalgam has honed its industrial capacities, and as a result, created a bustling sector consisting of manufacturing, warehousing and logistics companies. National and multinational companies can be found here, and they have created job opportunities for community members with formal and informal employment experience.

Creating jobs in the suburb and the wider South Rand is even more imperative when compared to the other areas around the city. This is because many people, primarily from lower income brackets, find it difficult to travel out of the region towards to inner city due to the costs involved. By making employment opportunities easily available in Amalgam, they are effortlessly integrated into the economy and can help support their families.

The industrial sector is expected expand as new businesses move into the suburb due to its strong property market that offers premium warehouse, factory and office spaces. API Property Group acknowledges Amalgam's key role, and has therefore, secured mandates from a wealth of industrial spaces that are equipped with abundant power supplies, and offer great height, 24 hour security and ample parking. These properties not only grow industries, but provide employment for the Amalgam community who greatly rely on the sector to sustain their livelihoods.

Smaller suburbs within Johannesburg will remain the silent contributors to economic growth, job opportunities and premium industrial properties. Amalgam may not be widely acknowledged or even well-known, but its contribution in growing a region and its people is undeniable. This alone will see it continuously reaching new success and breaking existing boundaries. For any advice on available industrial property in Amalgam, contact our helpful and experienced API Property Group agents today.