Gauteng is cheap and youthful

A recent article by the TheGuardian.com ranked Johannesburg as one of the most affordable cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Johannesburg - A recent article by the TheGuardian.com ranked Johannesburg as one of the most affordable cities in sub-Saharan Africa.

The article - titled “The world’s most affordable cities for millenials” - used the YouthfulCities global index to rank the city, stating that the average cost of renting a one-bed apartment is less than £263 a month. In rands that would be just under R4 000 a month.

The index bases their rankings on statistics which include population, geographical representation within a region and local engagement.

The article reported that although Johannesburg had moved 12 places up on Mecer’s latest cost of living ranking, it was still the world’s 16th cheapest city to live in.

It also says that Gauteng was one of the powerhouses that helped South Africa avoid economic collapse last year.

In her provincial budget report for the 2016/2017 financial year Finance MEC Barbara Creecy focussed on how Gauteng was a youthful province with more young people having a post school qualification than anywhere else in the country.

“They are full of energy and hope for the future. They are innovative and willing to work hard to fulfil their desires,” she said.

Creecy said that according to Statistics South Africa Mid-Year Estimates of 2015, Gauteng now accounts for 24% of population share in the country, which translates to 13.2 million residents.

“Youthful urbanisation is now our reality. Seventy percent of the Gauteng population is below age 40. According to the United Nations, 64.3% of the South African population lives in urban areas. Gauteng is the centre of urbanisation, it remains the province of choice and our cities remain the engine of economic growth,” she said.

Between 2010 and 2015 the province’s population grew by an annual average of 2.8%, or an increase of 1.8 million. Over this period the number of households increased by 16% or half a million households.

“There are benefits to having a young population concentrated in urban areas. These include greater access to skills and labour and a ready market for consumer goods of all types,” she said.

Creecy said the provincial economy mirrored that of the country.

“When Gauteng’s economy slows down, the impact is hugely felt on the national economy,” she said.

Creecy said the province remained in a unique position to address poverty, inequality and unemployment facing the country.

IOL MOJO