|
From
WIKIPEDIA, the free
encyclopedia
Vanderbijlpark is an industrial city next to
the Vaal River in southern Gauteng, South Africa. It is home to
ArcelorMittal SA
Vanderbijilpark works (previously ISCOR - Iron and Steel Corporation). With
neighbouring towns Vereeniging and Sasolburg it forms the Vaal
Triangle, a major industrial region of South Africa. Located in the
district municipality of Sedibeng and the local municipality of
Emfuleni.
The townships Boipatong, Bophelong, Sebokeng and Sharpeville are
close to the city.
Vanderbijlpark is also home to Cape Gate (Pty) Ltd, a major market
share holder in the wire industry.
History
It all started when Dr HJ van der Bijl, a brilliant young scientist
working in the United States at the time, was called back to South
Africa in 1920 by the then Prime Minister Jan Smuts to advise the
government on planning South Africa's industrial development. Van
der Bijl oversaw the Iron and Steel Corporation's first plant at
Pretoria, but with the increased demand after World War II, 100 kmē
was bought to build a large steel works and model town. The steel
works began operating in 1947 and the town was proclaimed in 1949.
The town attained municipal status in 1952 when Governor General Dr
EG Jansen opened ISCOR's second steel works.
Vanderbijlpark's 500 000 trees shade streets named after scientists,
engineers, composers, poets, writers and medical practitioners. They
house one of the most cosmopolitan communities in the country
JOIN SAVE NOW and SAVE THE VAAL
ENVIRONMENT
Education
There are over 60 primary and secondary schools within the Vaal
Triangle area. Of these, 16 primary and 8 secondary schools are
located in Vanderbijlpark.
Tertiary Education
The Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University is located in
Vanderbijlpark. This campus is situated on the banks of the Vaal
River and has student numbers exceeding 3000. The Vaal University of
Technology (previously the Vaal Triangle Technikon) was established
more than 40 years ago in 1966 an boasts more than 17 000 students.
|
