Area Information

Springs is a city on the East Rand in the Gauteng province of South Africa. It lies 50 km east of Johannesburg and 72 km southeast from Pretoria. The name of the city derives from the large number of natural springs in the area; last estimated population of more than 375,000,

History

The city of Springs, east of Johannesburg, is on the East Rand, or what is now known as the Metropolitan area of Ekurhuleni, in the Gauteng Province. It was founded as a coal and gold mining town in 1904, but its history can be traced back to the second half of the 19th century.

On 16 September 1884 the official map of The Springs was registered in Pretoria, the Republic's capital. Initially, the land's value was equal to R200. But the discovery of coal and gold and its subsequent mining increased the value considerably.

Subsequently, mining has decreased and Springs developed into an industrial centre.

Springs is currently one of the industrial centres in Ekurhuleni and also the Eastern Gateway of Gauteng towards Mpumalanga and Northern Kwazulu Natal. Mining has been replaced by manufacturing and engineering industries of economic importance; products of the region include processed metals, chemicals, paper and foodstuffs.

Economy

Springs as a city is an economic hub in the East Rand with a diverse economy, ranging from manufacturing, commerce, service, hospitality, mining and service providing companies.

Springs is one of the industrial centres in Gauteng served by four industrial suburbs, which are New Era, Nuffield, Enstra and Fulcrum with smaller industrial areas at Daggafontein, Selection Park, Selcourt and Strubenvale. There are a couple of manufacturing companies in Springs. The only Kellogg’s factory in South Africa is situated in Springs. Springs is also home to Impala Platinum's precious and base metal refineries as well as PFG Building Glass Building Glass, the only producer of float glass on the continent. Element Six Ultra High, an industry in industrial diamonds and beverage cans, manufacturing of cans and Kimberly-Clark in Enstra manufacturing toilet paper, tissues, serviettes and other products. Afrox Healthcare has a plant in Enstra, specializing in health care products. Then there is also Liebherr Group Africa specializing in heavy construction vehicles, McCain Foods packaging plant in Nuffield, MPact also have the cartonboard plant and recycling plant in New Era.

Shopping centres

Springs has a well developed CBD. There are two major shopping malls in the Springs Downtown serving Springs, The Avenues and Palm Springs, as well as various smaller shopping centres distributed throughout. There are a number of shopping centres in the suburbs of Springs such as the Selcourt Shopping Center, Strubenvale Shopping Centre, New State Era Shopping Centre, Bakerton Square and also the newer shopping centres like Springsgate and Selcourt Towers. A new regional mall, Springs Mall has just begun construction on Wit Road at the N17 onramp. Scheduled to open in early 2017 it will give the area 50000 m² of premium retail shopping.

Other businesses

Service delivery business is also very strong in Springs. Many of them are focusing on business development, consultancy and business solutions in the city. Others are construction businesses and property development. There are also many financial services consultancies, auditors and accountants, legal services and property agencies

There are many restaurants in Springs, as well as catering services and events managements businesses. Hospitality is also strong as there are many guesthouses in and around the city.

Parks

Springs has about 120 parks, the most well-known being Presidents Park, which horse jumping enthusiasts frequent, and Murray Park. There is also Frikkie Deysel Park, Butler Park,  the infamous George Sutter Park in Selection Park, and the Park of Dersley. In Northeastern Springs, the Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve has a great diversity of birds and plants. Springs also has a Game Reserve near the CBD and the unique Pioneer Park with Dutch characteristics next to the Springs CBD.

Springs has two golf courses, the Springs Country Club in Selection Park, and the Pollak Park Country Club

Transportation

Springs is served by two national highways. The N12 is an east/west freeway, connecting Springs with Witbank to the east and with Johannesburg in the west. The N17 is also an east/west freeway, but connects Springs with Ermelo in the east and Johannesburg in the west. Springs is also a railway hub with several railway stations throughout.

Suburbs

Springs’ suburbs are treelike with an abundance of suburban character. The following are the main suburbs of Springs.

Modder East (Eastvale), Dersley, Presidents Dam, Presidents Ranch, Krugersrus, New State Era, Krugersrus Ext, Rowhill, Petersfield, Petersfield Ext, Paul Krugersoord, East Geduld, Geduld, Geduld Ext, Springs Ext, Springs CBD, Lodeyko, Welgedag, Welgedag Small Holdings, Bakerton, Strubenvale, Strubenvale Ext, Casseldale, Edelweiss, Edelweiss Ext, Daggafontein, Selection Park, Selcourt, Struisbult, Pollak Park, Wright Park, Dal Fouche, KwaThema.

Education

There are several schools, ranging from pre-primary to secondary schools, and a tertiary college in Springs.

• Bakerton Primary School


• KwaThema Primary School


• Laerskool Christiaan Beyers


• Laerskool Jan van Riebeeck


• Laerskool Morester


• Laerskool PAM Brink


• Laerskool Selection Park


• Laerskool Welgedag


• Laerskool Werda


• Montessori School


• Olympia Park School


• Pinegrove Primary School


• Protea School


• Selcourt Primary School


• Selpark Primary School


• Springs Muslim School


• Strubenvale Primary School


• Eureka High School


• Hoer Tegniese Skool Springs


• Hoerskool Hugenote


• Hoërskool Dr Johan Jurgens High School


• Jameson High School


• Springs Boys' High School


• Springs Girls' High School


• Springs Secondary School


•  Veritas College


• Ekurhuleni East College, Springs Campus

Hospitals and medical services

Springs is also served by the Far East Rand provincial Hospital and two private hospitals, the N17 Hospital, and the Parkland Hospital closer to the Springs CBD. Springs is also served by many clinics, including the White City and KwaThema clinics in KwaThema, Painville clinic and the newly built Springs clinic. Then there are many private clinics, Physiotherapist clinics, Occupational Therapist clinics and also specialist doctor’s consultancy offices in Springs, and the Medical laboratory at the Parklands Hospital.