Drakenstein Municipality, the largest municipality in the Western Cape outside the City of Cape Town, is reaching for the stars with Vision 2032, which will put it on the map as a premier business and investment destination in Southern Africa. Why is it a good idea to locate your business in Drakenstein?
1. A well-governed city
Rated by National Treasury as the most financially healthy city in South Africa and the Western Cape, Drakenstein Municipality applies to its financial management: sound financial planning and budgeting, clean governance, high levels of execution and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption. An experienced and qualified municipal administration delivers excellent services to residents, and offers highly efficient bulk services to the business community in sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing, property development and financial services.
2. A growing city
Centred around Paarl, the third oldest post-colonial town in South Africa, and with a population of about 280 000 people and 71 000 households, Drakenstein has room to grow. It boasts the largest economy in the Cape Winelands, one of the lowest unemployment rates nationally, a diversely skilled population, a healthy measure of business confidence, and a mix of contemporary urban and attractive rural spaces. Drakenstein Municipality offers premium residential and business development opportunities for the astute investor.
3. A competitive, connected city
Doing business in Drakenstein means you will rub shoulders with a number of respected corporates such as KWV and Distell – two of the largest alcoholic beverage producers in South Africa. Both are headquartered in Paarl, where well-structured business and residential districts enjoy a solid road network, a high level of security, a ready labour pool, and guaranteed and efficient services. Businesses can access a basket of attractive incentives which ease the process of starting up, and benefit from the Municipality’s quick turnaround times for building plan and land use applications. Growth in provision of business services such as broadband access, are ahead of the curve. By 2030, every citizen in every town and village in Drakenstein will have affordable access to high-speed broadband infrastructure and services.
4. The fruit capital of South Africa
Drakenstein is not only about exquisite wines. A drive through Drakenstein reveals fertile fruit orchards, cheek-by-jowl with some of the largest and most sophisticated agro-processing capability in the country, such as cold-storage and pack-house facilities. This makes Drakenstein the go-to place for a wide range of agricultural products – fresh and processed – for both local consumption and the export market.
5. Gateway to the north
Straddling the N1 motorway, the major route to northern markets such as Gauteng, means that businesses in Drakenstein can get their products to those major markets quickly and efficiently. There is also quick and easy access to the N7, a major route to Namibia and the rest of the subcontinent.
6. Easy access
The Cape Town International Airport is a mere 60km or 40 minutes’ drive from the Paarl Central Business District, while the port of Cape Town, the nearest bulk export gateway, is only 64km or 50 minutes’ travel away. This means convenient access to international and local air services, and established port facilities. Drakenstein is also connected to the City of Cape Town and the north via a strong and busy rail link.
7. Contemporary urban, beguiling rural
Urban living spaces range from trendy and affordable in and around Paarl and Wellington, to sophisticated and upmarket, gated complexes such as Boschenmeer Golf Estate, Pearl Valley Golf Estate, and Val De Vie Estate, regarded as one of the world’s top lifestyle estates. Quaint smaller towns such as Hermon, Gouda and Saron offer tranquil rural living spaces in the heart of the beautiful Cape Winelands.
8. Local excellence for internationally competitive businesses
The excellent local infrastructure managed and maintained by Drakenstein Municipality includes a well-developed, sophisticated road network providing good vehicular access. The rail link runs north-south through the length of the municipal area, guaranteeing ease of access to rail transport for incoming and outgoing goods.
9. A manufacturing hub
Drakenstein is a thriving manufacturing hub, with sector representation in engineering, packaging, paper, plastics, moulding, piping, polyurethane products, and industrial equipment, attracted by the range of state-of-the-art bulk services and business services on offer. Vision 2032 will see a number of new light industrial and commercial business hubs developing in the area as well.
10. Quality education
Over 50 schools in the area provide a wide array of quality education opportunities, including some of oldest, most respected and top-performing schools in the country, such as Paarl Boys High School, Paarl Gymnasium, La Rochelle Girls Primary and High Schools and Paarl Girls High School. In addition, the Boland College Paarl Campus, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Wellington Campus and the Boston College Campus in Paarl afford brilliant facilities for a range of tertiary studies to support the needs of the growing business and industrial sectors.
11. Solid artisan skills base
The substantial manufacturing infrastructure in Drakenstein is underpinned by a skilled artisan cohort, and with the increased focus on artisan training, this resource is set to grow, making it an appealing location for businesses that are reliant on skilled artisans.
12. Beautiful surroundings
The natural beauty and magnificent scenery of the Drakenstein Valley in the heart of the Cape Winelands makes it one of the most sought after places to settle. This is where you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a vibrant business environment and stylish, relaxed country living – the perfect formula for that ideal work and quality of life balance.