Midrand (Gauteng) : The People and The Place
Midrand is a centrally-located municipality within the City of Johannesburg in the province of Gauteng. Conveniently nestled between Sandton (Johannesburg) and Centurion (Pretoria), Midrand is a burgeoning residential, commercial and industrial hub in Gauteng. It derives its name from to its midway position between the Witwatersrand region and Pretoria.
As one of the more recently developed areas of northern Johannesburg, it is known for its extensive and modern infrastructure with local and international corporates headquartered here amidst upmarket estates and secure complexes for residential living. Midrand remains one of the fastest growing areas of Gauteng, attracting businesses and people from across the province and the country.
People
Midrand is home to approximately 350,000 residents, having grown over four fold since the 2011 South African census. The population is largely of a younger demographic with 1 in 4 adult residents being in the 20 to 29 year age group. The multitude of private and public schools is a reflection of the young population that resides in the area. The Midrand community is diverse and well educated with professionals across industry choosing to live here.
Location
Since 1990, much of Johannesburg’s financial activity has migrated to the north. Midrand provides a convenient location with Sandton, which is considered the corporate and financial hub of South Africa, lying to the south and Pretoria, which is the administrative centre of the country and houses the national government, located north of Midrand. This allows business and consumers to easily access a range of facilities and services. It also provides a convenient location for residents traveling to their workplace in the northern Gauteng region.
Transport
The Gautrain has further added to this convenience with consumers now able to take the commuter rail service to Sandton CBD or Pretoria CBD from Midrand. The N3 running between Sandton and Pretoria is one of Gauteng’s largest highways and allows motorists and public transport users to easily travel from Midrand to the major hubs in Gauteng.
Shopping
Midrand has over 30 malls and shopping centres. The most prominent of these shopping hubs is the Mall of Africa, which opened in 2016. It is the largest single-phase mall built in Africa and houses the largest South African and international brands across its shopping area of 130,000 square metres. The Mall of Africa lies 15km north of Sandton City Mall, which together with the neighbouring Nelson Mandela Square, forms one of the largest retail complexes in Africa.
Images sourced from Wikimedia Commons and used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.