Name and Location
Modderfontein New City development project, Gauteng, South Africa.

Client
Shanghai Zendai.

Project Description
The project involves the development of an ecofriendly and low-carbon 22 km² ‘city’, in Modderfontein, on property bought from South African chemicals group AECI for R1-billion in November 2013.

The master plan of the Modderfontein New City describes the development of nine interconnected, multifunctional zones; a business, trade and logistics park; a light industry node for export and light manufacturing; a commercial ‘city centre’; an international conference and exhibition node; a trade and logistics hub; an entertainment centre; an education centre; a healthcare centre; a sports centre and stadium; hotels; and a residential development for the international community.

Commercial activity within the ‘city’ is expected to generate about 200 000 permanent jobs, while the project’s West Lake international community housing development and ‘downtown Modderfontein’ residential development will house an estimated 100 000 people, or 30 000 families.

The development’s central business district, or town centre, will cover 2.4 km² and will include offices, company headquarters and finance and trade operations.

Modderfontein New City’s 2.5 km² international conference and exhibition centre, the Long Lake Gateway, will also boast a cultural centre, a sports centre and ‘ecological offices’, while the 1 km² entertainment zone will be an Africa-themed multifunctional entertainment area.

The Long Lake Gateway area will also host a 19.9 ha sport centre, boasting a stadium and a volleyball court, basketball court, football field and tennis court.

A ‘silver industry zone’ will be situated in the Long Lake area, adjacent to the international exhibition zone, and will include a hospital, other healthcare facilities and designated shops and housing for the elderly.

The North Modderfontein node will result in the development of a 3.7 km² residential development for the international community, encompassing housing, shops, offices, hotels and ancillary facilities.

The Founder’s Hill education and training centre, located on the south-east portion of the city, will be a “comprehensive education community” comprising vocational and technical educational facilities, including a university.

The 2.6 km² Highland business, trade and logistics park will be developed as the industrial cluster of Modderfontein New City, providing a base for logistics and storage companies, as well as export and manufacturing entities.
Zendai aims to develop this zone into a free-trade area under South Africa’s special economic zone programme and a business, trade and logistics hub under the ambit of the Overseas Economic Trade and Cooperative Zone of China.

Lastly, the East Founder’s Hill light industry park will be an estimated 73 ha cluster area for the aviation and light manufacturing industries, and will focus on the manufacturing of decor, electronics, textiles and clothing, light industry and food.

Value
R84-billion. The development will be funded by Zendai, the Export-Import Bank of China and the China Development Bank.

Duration
Construction of the development is expected to begin later this year and is expected to be completed in 2024.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
On behalf of Shanghai Zendai, Chantelle Mathomes, tel +27 11 579 1000 or email chantelleM@heartland.co.za.