City of Cape Town
www.capetown.gov.za

Cape Town is a culturally diverse and dynamic metropolis set among beautiful beaches and winelands with the spectacular Table Mountain as a backdrop. The city is the engine of the regional economy, with most of the Western Cape’s heavy and medium industry located within the metropolitan area of Cape Town.

The largest sector in the city’s economy is the financial and business-services industry. The tourism, retail, construction and property sectors have also been doing well for a number of years. The city has a population of 3.2 million and contributes 76% of the regional gross domestic product.

The City of Cape Town is home to the nation’s parliament and is the site of two World Heritage Sites: the Cape Floral Region (including Table Mountain) and Robben Island. The Western Cape comprises only half a percent of the landmass of Africa yet the Cape Floral Region accounts for nearly 20% of the flora of the continent. Robben Island was the site of the incarceration of the most prominent political prisoners during the apartheid era, including most notably Nelson Mandela. His release was celebrated on the Grand Parade outside City Hall, which site will be used as a Fan Park during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Cape Town has been welcoming the world in increasing numbers since Mandela’s release in 1990, but if anything signifies international acceptance it is the Soccer World Cup tournament. The province’s tourism industry has been growing steadily ever since the advent of democracy and is now poised to join the big league. As of 2009, the city shares with Cairo the title of most visited African destination; the World Cup is likely to boost Cape Town’s status.

The Port of Cape Town is ideally situated at the crossroads of some of the world’s most important trade routes. The transport, maritime and logistics sector is consequently an important factor in the economy. Bunkering and ship repair are other vital port facilities, and the boat-repair and boat-building industries are on the rise. The port plays a major role in exporting the province’s excellent fruit, wine and other agricultural products to international markets.

Cape Town has a diverse manufacturing sector, with petroleum products, food and beverages and metals and metal products being major sectors. Growth sectors include the film industry and informations and communications technology.

George
www.george.org.za

George is located in the heart of the Garden Route and is the leading town in the Eden District Municipality. Its location on one of South Africa’s most beautiful tourist routes has led to George becoming a node of tourist accommodation, conference facilities and activities geared for relaxation and enjoyment.

In recent years, George and the surrounding area has become known as a destination for golf. George’s own course is one of the country’s finest, while Fancourt Golf Estate, on the outskirts of the town, has several courses, including the exclusive The Links layout. Several thousand tonnes of sand was shifted to create the effect of a seaside course, and the Presidents Cup was successfully held at this venue in 2003 when Tiger Woods and Ernie Els played to a tie in fading light and great excitement.

Other Garden Route golf estates include Goose Valley, Simola, Pezula, Oubaai, Pinnacle Point and Kingswood. The golf industry has become one of the area’s biggest growth sectors, boosting accommodation rates and causing the region’s economy to grow overall.

George is at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. The spectacular Outeniqua Pass links the coastal region with the Klein Karoo, which again offers a different experience for the visitor with its ostrich farms and port wines.

George Airport is a major regional hub, being the largest airport between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. In 2007, the airport recorded 299 767 departing passengers and 23 556 arriving air movements. A R39-million upgrade completed in the same year has taken capacity to 800 000.

Saldanha
www.saldanhabay.co.za

The Saldanha Bay Municipality comprises the towns of Saldanha, Vredenburg, St Helena Bay, Stompneusbaai, Paternoster, Jacobsbaai, Hopefield and Langebaan. Although the municipal area includes agricultural land that produces excellent dairy, honey, wheat and canola, the area is best known for its fish and for its harbour.

The Port of Saldanha exports about 24 million tonnes of iron ore annually, as well as steel, metal concentrates and other commodities. About 3.2 million tonnes of crude oil is imported. In addition, the bulk of South Africa’s strategic oil reserves are stored at Saldanha. The three major terminals cater for oil, ore and marine repairs. There is also a fabrication site and a small-craft harbour.

On the back of a decision by MAN Ferrostaal to invest heavily in an oil tanker and platform fabrication and repair plant, Saldanha has been identified as a node for industrial development, with particular emphasis on the steel industry.

The original port of Saldanha near the town services the trawler fleets of several fishing companies. Premier Fishing has a fish-meal plant in the area and Sea Harvest runs a large cold-storage facility.

Saldanha is surrounded by natural beauty. Just around the lagoon is the popular holiday town of Langebaan and, to the south of the entrance to Saldanha Bay, is the 30 000-hectare West Coast National Park. This is one of most popular viewing areas for the annual show put on by nature in the first weeks of spring, the blooming of the wild flowers. To the north is the quaint fishing village of Paternoster and the Columbine Nature Reserve, from where whales are often spotted.