Ferndale, Gauteng Explained

Ferndale
Pushpin Map:South Africa Gauteng#South Africa
Coordinates:-26.0822°N 27.9825°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:South Africa
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Gauteng
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Type3:Municipality
Subdivision Name3:City of Johannesburg
Subdivision Type4:Main Place
Subdivision Name4:Randburg
Established Title:Established
Established Date:1909
Leader Title:Councillor
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:7.72
Population Total:19373
Population As Of:2011
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics Type1:Racial makeup (2011)
Demographics1 Title1:Black African
Demographics1 Info1:51.7%
Demographics1 Title2:Coloured
Demographics1 Info2:4.1%
Demographics1 Title3:Indian/Asian
Demographics1 Info3:14.7%
Demographics1 Title4:White
Demographics1 Info4:28.2%
Demographics1 Title5:Other
Demographics1 Info5:1.3%
Demographics Type2:First languages (2011)
Demographics2 Title1:English
Demographics2 Info1:49.0%
Demographics2 Title2:Afrikaans
Demographics2 Info2:11.8%
Demographics2 Title3:Zulu
Demographics2 Info3:8.6%
Demographics2 Title4:Tswana
Demographics2 Info4:5.3%
Demographics2 Title5:Other
Demographics2 Info5:25.3%
Timezone1:SAST
Utc Offset1:+2
Postal Code Type:Postal code (street)
Postal Code:2194
Postal2 Code Type:PO box
Postal2 Code:2160
Area Code Type:Area code

Ferndale is a suburb of Randburg, South Africa. It is located in Region B of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The area is very central and has a good mix of residential homes, shops and commercial property.

History

The suburb originates from around 1909 and the suburb's name originates from ferns in a valley.[2]

Businesses

Ferndale is home to Multichoice with offices on either side of Bram Fischer Drive between Republic Road and Grove Street.

Ferndale on Republic is the new name of the old Randburg Waterfront and later known as the Brightwater Commons. Originally opened in 1996, the Randburg Waterfront was a wharf style entertainment venue with a large man-made lake at the centre. One of the biggest attractions at the centre was the musical fountain, with choreographed displays to many different musical favourites.

After the decline of the Randburg Waterfront, the centre underwent a major refurbishment and re-opened at The Brightwater Commons in 2008. The man-made lake was replaced with a much smaller pond and a smaller version of the musical fountain. The rest of the inside area was converted to a garden with trees, with a flea market at the centre. This enjoyed mediocre success, and was sold again, now being re-branded as Ferndale on Republic. The "Commons" in the middle was removed completely and replaced by a large parking lot. Some buildings have been demolished and an additional extension has been built in the old parking lot towards Republic Road.

Residents Associations

Ferndale is divided over two SAPS precincts and has thus been covered by two different Residents Associations.

Ferndale south of Republic Road is covered by Linden SAPS and is under the Ferndale Ridge Residents Group.

Ferndale north of Republic Road is covered by Randburg SAPS and is under the Ferndale Residents Association.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sub Place Ferndale . Census 2011.
  2. Book: Dictionary of Southern African Place Names . Jonathan Ball Publishers . Raper, Peter E. . Moller, Lucie A. . du Plessis, Theodorus L. . 2014 . 1412 . 9781868425501.