Rand West City Local Municipality, in West Rand District, Gauteng, had a 2022 census population of 334,773 across 1,114.7 km². Randfontein is the seat. The municipality was formed in August 2016 by merging the former Randfontein and Westonaria local municipalities into a single administration covering both mining towns.
Towns and Villages in Rand West City
| Place | Type |
|---|---|
| Randfontein | Town, seat |
| Westonaria | Town |
| Mohlakeng | Township |
| Toekomsrus | Township |
| Bekkersdal | Township |
| Glenharvie | Suburb |
| Hillshaven | Suburb |
Further towns, suburbs and localities on record:
- Bhongwem
- Brandvlei
- Culemborgpark
- Dancornia
- Droogheuwel
- Elands
- Elsburg Gold Mine
- Government Village
- Greenhills
- Groot-Elandsvlei
- Hillside
- Kalbasfontein
- Klein Elandsvlei
- Kocksoord
- Leeudoorn Mine
- Loumarina
- Ooster
- Randfontein South
- Randgate
- Randridge
- Rietfontein
- Rikasrus
- Rodora
- Seberuberung
- Ten Acre
- Venterpos-West
- Venterspos
- Vleikop
- Wes-Rand
- West Rand Garden Estate
- Westergloor
- Western Areas
- Wheatlands
Randfontein, the seat, and Westonaria, the second town, both grew as separate mining municipalities before the 2016 merger and still function as distinct commercial centres a short drive apart. Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus are Randfontein’s main townships; Bekkersdal is Westonaria’s counterpart. Glenharvie and Hillshaven, both between the two towns, developed as smaller residential nodes tied to nearby mine shafts.
Geography
Rand West City sits on the western Witwatersrand, dominated by mine dumps, tailings dams and gold-reef geology shared with the rest of the West Rand goldfield. The terrain is generally flat Highveld grassland, broken by the yellow sand tailings dams that mark more than a century of gold processing around Randfontein and Westonaria. It borders Mogale City Local Municipality and Emfuleni Local Municipality to the east, Merafong City Local Municipality to the south, and North West province to the west.
Demographics
The merged municipality’s census population rose from 261,053 in 2011 to 334,773 in 2022, growth of about 28%. Mohlakeng and Toekomsrus, the townships adjoining Randfontein, and Bekkersdal, adjoining Westonaria, together hold most of the population. Density stands at roughly 300 people per km², with most residents concentrated in the two former towns rather than the wider farming and mining land in between.
Economy and Local Life
Rand West City’s economy is rooted in Witwatersrand gold mining, dating to the original gold rush era, with Randfontein and Westonaria both developing as company mining towns around individual mine shafts. Eskom has flagged the municipality for a poor electricity-payment record, a symptom of the broader financial strain that has followed the decline of deep-level mining employment across the West Rand. Some agriculture and light industry persist around Randfontein’s edges, and both former towns retain their own commercial main streets, banks and municipal buildings inherited from before the 2016 merger.
Getting There
The N12 highway runs along the municipality’s southern edge, and the R28 links Randfontein to Krugersdorp and Johannesburg. O.R. Tambo International Airport is roughly 75 km east, and Lanseria International Airport lies about 40 km northeast via the R28.
FAQ
What is the seat of Rand West City? Randfontein, though Westonaria retains its own full set of municipal facilities.
What is the population of Rand West City? 334,773 at the 2022 census, up from 261,053 in 2011.
When was Rand West City formed? August 2016, by merging the former Randfontein and Westonaria local municipalities, both established as separate councils in the 2000 re-demarcation.
What towns are in Rand West City? Randfontein, Westonaria, Mohlakeng, Toekomsrus and Bekkersdal.
Are Randfontein and Westonaria still separate towns? They remain separate physical towns with their own centres, though they have shared one municipal government since the 2016 merger.
Which district is Rand West City in? West Rand District Municipality, Gauteng, alongside Mogale City and Merafong City.
How far is Rand West City from Johannesburg? Randfontein lies about 45 km west of the Johannesburg city centre.