About The VAAL REGION
The Vaal region is an inter-provincial area comprising of proposed areas of Gauteng, Free State, North West and Mpumalanga Provinces; including areas within the Sedibeng District Municipality (Midvaal and Emfuleni Local Municipalities), Fezile Dabi District Municipality (Mafube, Metsimaholo, Moqhaka, and Ngwathe Local Municiplaities), Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municiplaity (JB Marks Local Municipality), and Gert Sibande District Municipality (Dipaleseng Local Municiplaity).
The Vaal River forms the common part of each of these provinces as it forms some part of the demarcating barrier separating Gauteng, North West, and Mpumalanga Provinces from the Free State Province. The Vaal region is characterised by various industries, mining, and vast agricultural land. Economically, the Vaal Region’s industrial growth is centered on electricity, coal, steel, and petrochemicals. Agriculture is also one of the significant economic sectors in the region, while tourism and the diamond industry are expanding. The area is fortunate to not only have the Vaal River as a potential anchor for economic stimuli but also the Vaal Dam, Vredefort Dome, Parys, Petro-Chemical developments in Sasolburg, iron, and steel industry (ArcelorMittal) in Vereeniging, tourism, agriculture, and agro-processing activities.
Furthermore, the uncoordinated way the Vaal River Region is developing brings about some socio-economic challenges to the already struggling surrounding areas of Sedibeng, Fezile Dabi, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Gert Sibande District Municipalities. These challenges include rising unemployment and poverty levels, as well as the lack of efficient public transport and access routes that limit movement of goods and services.