‘A City Within A City’

Africa has the lowest ratio of car ownership in the world and is the most undeveloped market of the automotive industry, says Brendan Falkson, director of Rosslyn Hub, speaking at the launch of the R4.2bn mixed-use development.

The growth opportunity for vehicle exports into Africa is huge, considering its population of 1.2 billion people with low levels of vehicle ownership. There is, however, enormous potential in the region to meet the mobility needs of a burgeoning middle-class. This is according to the Automotive Export Manual – 2018 – South Africa publication by the Automotive Industry Export Council, which indicates that, in Africa, South Africa is the top vehicle producer with 557 701 units produced in 2017 followed by Egypt with 181 001 and Morocco with 168 913.

Given this scenario, opportunities for South Africa to expand its automotive offering are certainly well placed. Most recently, Big Cedar Property Development launched Rosslyn Hub, which will be located within Tshwane Auto City (TAC).

Rosslyn Hub promotes a vision to transform the area into the automotive capital for Africa. According to Brendan Falkson, director of Rosslyn Hub, it is envisioned that Rosslyn, which is already home to five automotive plants – BMW, Nissan, Iveco, UD Trucks and Tata – along with an array of automotive suppliers, will emulate well-established automotive cities like those in Spain, China, Germany and Japan.

This will create a second ‘CBD’ in the north-west of Tshwane on the doorstep of Ga-Rankuwa and Soshanguve, anchored by a labour intensive automotive manufacturing core that will enable workers to walk to their respective workplaces and re-dress the poor land decisions of the past, he added

The Tshwane Auto City is a R500bn project, that is expected to create 160 000 jobs. It will be funded by state and private sector investment and could be a blue-print of how to develop Africa’s future SmartCities in a sustainable way.

Rosslyn Hub will cover 100ha of prime land at the heart of the TAC. It is anticipated that the development of Rosslyn Hub will invigorate further infrastructure developments which will trigger private sector investment and act as a catalyst for the first R50bn of the Tshwane Auto City development within 10years. A key to unlock this investment is the new K217 road for the new Transnet approved Logistics Hub which will adjoin Rosslyn Hub. This road has enabled Rosslyn Hub to launch its first phase in May this year.

Phase 1 of the three-phased project will comprise of a convenience centre, school and housing for Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), Nissan, Medunsa and Tshwane University of Technology students, and is due to be complete by November 2019.

Phase 2 is anticipated to be completed within 3-5 years and will revolve around the development of the Transnet Rail Hub, Logistics Park and Vehicle distribution Centre.

The final phase of Rosslyn Hub includes the development of a regional shopping centre, connected to a conference centre, hotel and outdoor automotive pavilion, with motor showrooms.

Rosslyn Hub will include:

• 1,200 houses and 250 rental apartments;
• A crèche, primary and high school;
• A university with student housing;
• Two shopping centres, a value centre and filling station;
• A logistics park and vehicle distribution centre, with access to a world class rail logistics hub;
• A truck staging area and truck stop;
• Motor showrooms and a motor retail area;
• A hospital and clinic;
• A hotel and conference centre; and
• An outdoor automotive pavilion.

Rosslyn Hub to spin-off employment opportunities

Project development will offer employment opportunities to local citizens, in particular those who reside in Orchards, Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve, and surrounding areas. Jobs on offer include entry-level opportunities all the way to potential contracts for established businesses. According to Falkson, Nissan and Tata are expected to expand their existing operations, which will also require its suppliers to base their factories in Rosslyn. It is anticipated that these new developments will further boost employment in the area.

Rosslyn Hub, with the assistance of the AIDC, is doing a series of on-site registrations for employment, training and suppliers. This will ensure that people from the surrounding areas benefit wherever possible.

“Rosslyn Hub will be a place where people can live, learn and shop on the doorstep of Soshanguve, within walking distance of work opportunities,” concluded Falkson.