View source for Midrand

{{Short description|Town in Gauteng, South Africa}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Midrand
| pushpin_map              = South Africa Gauteng#South Africa#Africa
| coordinates              = {{coord|25|59|57|S|28|7|35|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name         = [[South Africa]]
| subdivision_type1        = [[Provinces of South Africa|Province]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Gauteng]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of districts of South Africa|District]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[List of municipalities of South Africa|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality|City of Johannesburg]]
| subdivision_type4        = Main Place
| subdivision_name4        = 
| established_title        = Established
| leader_title             = Councillor
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="census2011">{{cite web |url=http://census2011.adrianfrith.com/place/798004 |title = Main Place Midrand |work=Census 2011}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 152.87
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="census2011" />
| population_total         = 87387
| population_as_of         = 2011
| population_density_km2   = auto
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1       = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_footnotes  = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics1_title1     = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black]]
| demographics1_info1      = 54.5%
| demographics1_title2     = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info2      = 3.3%
| demographics1_title3     = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]]
| demographics1_info3      = 17.0%
| demographics1_title4     = [[White South African|White]]
| demographics1_info4      = 24.2%
| demographics1_title5     = Other
| demographics1_info5      = 1.0%
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2       = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes  = <ref name="census2011" />
| demographics2_title1     = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info1      = 50.1%
| demographics2_title2     = [[Zulu language|Zulu]]
| demographics2_info2      = 10.2%
| demographics2_title3     = [[Afrikaans]]
| demographics2_info3      = 6.9%
| demographics2_title4     = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
| demographics2_info4      = 5.4%
| demographics2_title5     = Other
| demographics2_info5      = 27.4%
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- Other information -->| timezone1                = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset1              = +2
| postal_code_type         = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal code]] (street)
| postal_code              = 1682
| postal2_code_type        = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code             = 
| area_code_type           = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
}}
[[File:Johhanesburg Water-Midrand Tower-002.jpg|thumb|Johannesburg Water-Midrand Tower]]
'''Midrand''' is a town in central [[Gauteng]], [[South Africa]]. It is situated in-between [[Centurion, Gauteng|Centurion]] and [[Sandton]]. Formerly an independent municipality, Midrand now forms part of the [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality]].

==History==
Midrand was established as a municipality in 1981 (in an area known as ''[[Halfway House Estate|Halfway House]]'', named after its position between [[Pretoria]] and [[Johannesburg]]<ref name="dsapn">{{cite web |title=Dictionary of Southern African Place Names (Public Domain) |url=https://archive.org/details/DictionaryOfSouthernAfricanPlaceNames |publisher=Human Science Research Council |page=195}}</ref>), but ceased to be an independent town in the restructuring of local government that followed the end of apartheid in 1994. It was incorporated in the [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality]] in 2000. It was made part of [[Former Region 2 (Johannesburg)|Region 2]] and, as of 2006, when the number of regions were reduced to seven, it forms part of Region A of the City of Johannesburg.

Though no longer an independent town, the name Midrand is still in common use to denote the suburbs around the [[N1 (South Africa)|N1 highway]] north of the [[Jukskei River]] up to the border with the [[City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality]] (this portion of the N1 highway is also known as the [[Ben Schoeman Highway]]). Suburbs that are generally regarded as being in Midrand include among others: [[Country View, Gauteng|Country View]], [[Carlswald, Gauteng|Carlswald]], [[Crowthorne, Gauteng|Crowthorne]], [[Ebony Park]], [[Glen Austin, Gauteng|Glen Austin]], [[Ivory Park, Gauteng|Ivory Park]], [[Kaalfontein]], [[Rabie Ridge]], [[Halfway House Estate|Halfway House]], [[Halfway Gardens, Gauteng|Halfway Gardens]], [[Vorna Valley, Gauteng|Vorna Valley]], [[Noordwyk, Gauteng|Noordwyk]], [[Randjesfontein Agricultural Holdings|Randjesfontein]], [[Randjespark]], [[Blue Hills, Gauteng|Blue Hills]], [[Kyalami Agricultural Holdings]] and Waterfall City.

In 2010, it was reported that the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality wished to annex Midrand from the City of Johannesburg, reportedly to boost its income, which was severely strained.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 May 2010 |title=Fight for Midrand |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article431596.ece/Fight-for-Midrand |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507010315/http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/article431596.ece/Fight-for-Midrand |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 7, 2010 |publisher=Times LIVE}}</ref>

The city is relatively modern, having experienced much growth in the last decade. Many businesses have relocated there due to its proximity to good highway links and its location in the economic centre of Gauteng Province. The development of Midrand has resulted in little break between the outskirts of Johannesburg and those of Pretoria.

== Government ==

The [[South African Civil Aviation Authority]] is headquartered in Midrand,<ref>"[http://www.caa.co.za/contacts.htm Contacts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127152329/http://www.caa.co.za/contacts.htm |date=2009-11-27 }}."  [[South African Civil Aviation Authority]]. Retrieved on 9 June 2009.</ref> as is the [[Railway Safety Regulator]] (RSR),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rsr.org.za/contact-us/|title=Contact Us|publisher=Railway Safety Regulator|access-date=2020-06-26}} - Addresses are at the bottom of the page.</ref> and the [[National Credit Regulator]]. Midrand is also the location of the [[African Union]]'s [[Pan-African Parliament]] and of the [[NEPAD]] secretariat.

== Politics ==
{{expand section|date=February 2023}}
{{Further|POLAF}}

== Geography ==
As the name suggests, Midrand lies centrally within the [[Gauteng province]] positioned halfway between [[Johannesburg]] to the south (27 km) and [[Pretoria]] to the north (30 km). It forms the northernmost part of the [[City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality]], bordering two other [[Metropolitan municipality (South Africa)|metropolitan municipalities]] within Gauteng namely the [[City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality|City of Tshwane]] to the north and the [[City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality|City of Ekurhuleni]] to the east. Midrand is flanked by [[Centurion, South Africa|Centurion]] to the north, [[Sandton]] to the south and [[Thembisa]] to the east. 

== Landmarks ==
Midrand has the largest{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} conference centre in South Africa which is known as [[Gallagher Estate]] which was built on the former site of Halfway House Primary School, which subsequently moved to new grounds near the fire station.

A landmark of Midrand is the [[Nizamiye Mosque]], opened in 2012,<ref name="Bearam2012">{{cite web |author=Natashia Bearam |title=Constructing a masterpiece |publisher=LookLocal.co.za |url=http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/lenasia/lenasia-news-general?oid=5885954&sn=Detail&pid=null&Constructing-a-masterpiece |date=17 July 2012 |access-date=13 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002213412/http://www.looklocal.co.za/looklocal/content/en/lenasia/lenasia-news-general?oid=5885954&sn=Detail&pid=null&Constructing-a-masterpiece |archive-date=2 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[List of largest mosques|largest mosque]] in South Africa. The Classical [[Ottoman architecture|Turkish-style]] [[mosque]] was personally funded by [[Turkey|Turkish]]-born construction tycoon Ali Katircioglu at a cost of R210 million.

The largest single-phase shopping mall built in Africa, [[Mall of Africa|The Mall of Africa]], is located in the Waterfall City precinct of the town.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Atterbury develops SA's biggest single-phase retail centre, Mall of Africa at Waterfall – Property Wheel |url=https://propertywheel.co.za/2013/08/atterbury-develops-sas-biggest-single-phase-retail-centre-mall-of-africa-at-waterfall/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=propertywheel.co.za}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Fraser |first=Luke |date=7 May 2024 |title=Ownership shift at South Africa's busiest mall |url=https://businesstech.co.za/news/property/770831/ownership-shift-at-south-africas-busiest-mall/ |access-date=26 May 2024 |website=BusinessTech}}</ref>

It is now also home to the new headquarters for a multinational auditing-finance company, PWC. (Constructed by [https://www.wsp.com/en-ZA/projects/pwc-tower-waterfall WSP]) Visible, as currently (2018) the only skyscraper in Midrand. It will however be rivaled by its upcoming twin, The Falcon Building. Both the Falcon and PWC are in the same complex as Mall of Africa. Other landmarks include the Boulders Shopping centre, so named after the heritage site housing huge granite rocks which are approximately 3.5-billion years old.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Boulders adds some heritage to the shopping experience|url=https://www.mediaupdate.co.za/marketing/44912/the-boulders-adds-some-heritage-to-the-shopping-experience|access-date=2021-07-28|website=Media Update|date=14 February 2012 |language=en}}</ref>

== Business ==
Midrand is a thriving business node, home to the offices of major corporations such as [[Vodacom]], [[Microsoft]], [[Neotel]], and Altech Autopage as well as an array of small and medium enterprises. 

In 2013, Atterbury Properties announced plans to build the [[Mall of Africa]], which would be one of the continent's largest.<ref name=":0" /> The Mall of Africa is located within the green, mixed-use Waterfall City precinct.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> The N1 Business Park and International Business Gateway are among the commercial developments in Midrand. The latest industrial development is called [https://curriegroup.co.za/park/waterfall-logistics-precinct/ Waterfall Logistics Precinct].

== Education ==
The [[University of South Africa]]'s [[University of South Africa#Academic community|Graduate School of Business Leadership]] is located in Midrand. The [[Pearson Institute of Higher Education]] formerly known as [[Midrand Graduate Institute]], was officially opened on 9 May 1990. A [[Varsity College]] campus was established in 2012. [[Macmillan Education South Africa]] relocated their offices in June 2017 from Melrose Arch. There are primary and high schools located in several areas.

== Sports ==

[[Kyalami]], an international renowned racetrack is in Midrand and is the venue for many of South Africa's premier motor racing events. The [[South African Lipizzaners]] riding academy is situated in the [[smallholding]]s of [[Kyalami Agricultural Holdings|Kyalami]].

== Transport ==

Midrand lies along the [[N1 (South Africa)|N1]] ([[Ben Schoeman Freeway]]) which runs through the town in a northerly direction from [[Johannesburg]] to [[Pretoria]]. Midrand is connected to the N1 by the [[M39 (Johannesburg)|M39]] Allandale Road, [[M71 (Johannesburg)|M71]] New Road, R562 Olifantsfontein Road and the [[M36 (Johannesburg)|M36]] Samrand Road in [[Centurion, South Africa|Centurion]]. The [[N3 (South Africa)|N3]] ([[N3 Eastern Bypass (Johannesburg)|Eastern Bypass]]) lying just south of Midrand, intersects the N1 at the Buccleuch Interchange and runs southwards to [[Germiston]] and [[Durban]]. 

Midrand is intersected by three [[Regional routes (South Africa)|regional routes]], namely; the [[R101 (South Africa)|R101]] (Pretoria Main Road) from [[Sandton]] to Centurion and [[Pretoria]], the [[R55 (South Africa)|R55]] from Sandton to Centurion and Pretoria and the [[R562 (South Africa)|R562]] from [[Thembisa]] to [[Diepsloot]]. [[Metropolitan Routes in Johannesburg|Metropolitan routes]] within the [[Greater Johannesburg]] metropolitan region that intersect in Midrand include the [[M38 (Johannesburg)|M38]] (Modderfontein Road; Allan Road) and [[M39 (Johannesburg)|M39]] (Allandale Road), both connecting the town with [[Kempton Park, South Africa|Kempton Park]] to the south-east.

Midrand is the home of [[Grand Central Airport]] and also to [[Midrand (Gautrain station)|one of the stations]] in the [[Gautrain]] rapid rail system on the route from [[Pretoria (Gautrain station)|Pretoria]] to [[Sandton (Gautrain station)|Sandton]].

== Climate ==
[[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system]] classifies its climate as [[subtropical highland climate|subtropical highland]] (Cwb).<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{Cite web |url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/27197/ |title=Climate: Midrand - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table |publisher=Climate-Data.org |access-date=2014-01-05 }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Midrand
|Jan high C=26.4
|Feb high C=26.1
|Mar high C=25.1
|Apr high C=22.8
|May high C=20.7
|Jun high C=17.9
|Jul high C=18.1
|Aug high C=21
|Sep high C=23.9
|Oct high C=25
|Nov high C=25.4
|Dec high C=26.1

|Jan mean C=20.5
|Feb mean C=20.2
|Mar mean C=19
|Apr mean C=16.1
|May mean C=13.2
|Jun mean C=10.2
|Jul mean C=10.3
|Aug mean C=13
|Sep mean C=16.2
|Oct mean C=18.1
|Nov mean C=19.1
|Dec mean C=20

|Jan low C=14.6
|Feb low C=14.3
|Mar low C=12.9
|Apr low C=9.5
|May low C=5.7
|Jun low C=2.5
|Jul low C=2.6
|Aug low C=5
|Sep low C=8.6
|Oct low C=11.3
|Nov low C=12.9
|Dec low C=14

|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=140
|Feb precipitation mm=91
|Mar precipitation mm=83
|Apr precipitation mm=55
|May precipitation mm=15
|Jun precipitation mm=8
|Jul precipitation mm=6
|Aug precipitation mm=7
|Sep precipitation mm=23
|Oct precipitation mm=74
|Nov precipitation mm=111
|Dec precipitation mm=110

|source 1= ''Climate-Data.org'' (altitude: 1587m)<ref name="Climate-Data.org"/>

}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080915113923/http://www.midrandchamber.co.za/ Midrand Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101222001337/http://www.mytowncity.co.za/midrand/ Midrand Free Business Directory, Community Forum and Classifieds]

{{Greater Johannesburg|communities}}
{{City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality|selected=rega}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Johannesburg Region A]]