Shaping the future: why Leratong Smart City is the blueprint for centralised living While the current construction phase continues to create immediate employment opportunities, the long-term economic impact of the Leratong Smart City is expected to extend far beyond the construction site. Image: Mogale City Municipality Phase 1 of the R5 billion Leratong Smart City Development is nearing completion, with the Leratong City Shopping Centre on track to open in October this year. This means that the vision of centralised living is steadily taking shape, says the Mogale City Municipality. Strategically located around Leratong Hospital, in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg, the broader development is expected to deliver approximately 15 000 mixed-income housing units, supported by retail, transport, education, healthcare and government service facilities. Once complete, the integrated precinct will allow residents to live, work and access essential services within a single connected hub, significantly reducing travel times and improving quality of life, the municipality says. But beyond the infrastructure rising from the ground, the project is already creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities. How local businesses build the vision Since its inception, the project is said to have prioritised local economic participation, labour utilisation and the empowerment of local SMMEs within Mogale City. To date, 40 local companies from various wards have been appointed across multiple scopes of work, including brickwork, plastering, paving and kerbs, electrical works, waterproofing, security, glazing, cleaning, fencing, and civil works linked to the substation. Ward 9 is said to have recorded the highest participation with nine companies appointed, followed by Ward 5 with five companies and Ward 128 with four companies, reflecting broad community inclusion across the city. Jobs and skills opportunities The development has also emerged as an important source of employment and skills development, the municipality said. “A total of 978 jobs