Randburg, Gauteng

Randburg is an area located in the Gauteng province of South Africa. Formerly a separate municipality, its administration devolved to the newly created City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, along with neighbouring Sandton and Roodepoort, in the late 1990s. During the transitional period of 1996–2000, Randburg was part of the Northern Metropolitan Local Council (MLC).

History

Randburg was founded as a town in 1959, as the amalgamation of 32 suburbs, northwest of Johannesburg. Although economically linked to Johannesburg, residents chose to create their own town council. The name ''Randburg'' was chosen in a competition, and is derived from the South African Rand currency, which was introduced at around the same time that the new municipality was established in 1959. Like other affluent northern suburbs of Johannesburg, the area was regarded as relatively liberal and elected Democratic Party members of parliament. As Apartheid ended, it became more supportive of F. W. de Klerk's reform-minded National Party. In 1962, it became a municipality.

The resident demographic of Randburg tends to be more affluent than most of Johannesburg. The area was declared as a white area during the Apartheid era, but post-apartheid has attracted a varied population. In 2001, it was still predominantly occupied by white English and Afrikaans suburbanites.

Suburbs

The municipal area of Randburg contains numerous suburbs; many of these are residential. Some larger areas include:
* Aldara Park
* Blairgowrie
* Bordeaux
* Boskruin
* Bromhof
* Cresta
* Darrenwood
* Fairlands
* Ferndale
* Jukskei Park
* Kensington 'B'
* Malanshof
* Northriding
* Northwold
* Olivedale
* Randpark Ridge
* Robindale
* Robin Hills
* Windsor East
* Windsor West

A number of Johannesburg suburbs including Parkhurst, Parkwood, Emmarentia, Linden, Northcliff, and Greenside although erroneously included by Google Maps as part of Randburg have never been part of the area.

Economy

Multichoice and its associated companies, M-Net and SuperSport, have their head offices in Randburg.

The central business district of Randburg had fallen into decay starting in the 1990s, and plans were made to revive the CBD by the Johannesburg municipality.

Strijdom Park is a well developed commercial/light industrial area in Randburg, wedged between the N1 Western Bypass and Malibongwe Drive. Strijdom park has a substantial auto sales and repair industry and has several other small industries that service the whole of northern Johannesburg.

Randburg has faced competition from Sandton which is normally the preferred location for businesses but offers lower rentals and property prices whilst providing easy transportation to the west and central Johannesburg. There are future plans to connect Randburg onto the Gautrain routes. Cresta Shopping Centre is located in Randburg.

Education

Randburg has many schools within its borders and in the nearby areas.

Colleges

* Damelin Randburg
* CTI Randburg (Robin Acres)
* Boston City Campus and Business College
* College Campus
* AAA School of Advertising
* Vega School of Brand Leadership (Bordeaux)
* Technisa - South West Gauteng College (Bordeaux)
* Global Prospectus Development Institute

High schools

* Excelsior Learning Centre
* Aurora Private School
* King's School (also primary level)
* Ferndale High School
* Hoërskool Randburg (Fontainebleau)
* Linden Hoërskool
* Radley Private High School (Ferndale, also primary level)
* Trinity House School, Johannesburg (also primary level)
* Randpark High School, Randpark Ridge
* Amazing Grace Private School (also primary level)

Primary schools

* Bordeaux Primary School
* Blairgowrie Primary School
* I.R. Griffith Primary School ( Blairgowrie)
* Laerskool Fontainebleau
* Laerskool Louw Geldenhuys
* Laerskool Unika
* North West Christian School
* Rand Park Primary School
* Risidale Primary School
* Spark schools Blairgowrie and Ferndale
* St Stithians College (Preparatory school)

Sport

* Randburg Astroturf is a field hockey stadium.

Notable residents

*Pastor Ray McCauley (born 1 October 1949), well known for his participation against the apartheid movement and his engagement to the new South Africa. He is the founder of Rhema family church.
*Gift Ngoepe (born 1990), baseball infielder

References

{{Authority control

Johannesburg Region B