OVERVIEW
Transport and logistics Cellphone masts are solving traffic problems. SECTOR INSIGHT OR Tambo International Airport handles more than 80% of South Africa’s cargo.
New tenants are having custom-built warehousing facilities constructed for them at Riverfields Precinct, the logistics hub near OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni.
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usy intersections in Soweto are getting power from an unusual source to prevent dangerous traffic overload. MTN and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) have signed a Service Level Agreement whereby MTN base stations will provide power to traffic lights at key points during loadshedding. “We’re excited about the future of this project and aim to expand further afield to partner with municipalities across the country to create corridors of free-flowing traffic in loadshedding, by using existing base stations to power traffic lights where we can,” says MTN South Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Charles Molapisi. MTN is also creating a “traffic corridor” from the Flora Clinic, along 14th Avenue, towards the N1 highway, leading to outside the MTN head office, to ensure smooth movement onto and off the N1 highway at the 14th Avenue intersection. Those traffic lights will be backed up by power supplied by electricity generated from the MTN campus. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has a pipeline of 67 projects with a combined value of R23-billion. Of these projects, 13 – valued at R6.6-billion – are privatesector initiatives and the various road, construction and design projects are expected to be implemented over the decade to 2031. Among the private companies that will be involved in projects are property companies Attacq Waterfall Investment, Steyn City and
GAUTENG BUSINESS 2023/24
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Century Properties and mining company Cullinan. Transnet Rail Engineering (TRE) has a major presence in Gauteng and the metropolitan lines that ferry commuters are run by the Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA). The Wits Metrorail system serves Johannesburg and its surrounds. Park Station, in the north of the central business district, is the largest station in Africa and acts as the metropolitan hub. River fields Precinct in Ekurhuleni is a logistics hub serving OR Tambo International Airport and the major highways that link Gauteng with other provinces. Several established brands such as DSV, John Deere, DB Schenker, Sanvick Mining and DHL are tenants and new facilities for Shoprite and The Foschini Group are being built. A new section, Equites Park 3, covering 16 hectares, is currently in the planning phase. The existing facilities include Equites Park Riverfields 1 (also 16ha) and Equites Park Riverfields 2, which hosts two major retailers on 43ha. A total of 82% of South Africa’s air cargo is transported through OR Tambo International Airport and Gauteng has several PHOTO: Riverfields Precinct
