Economic Profile

Parys has a strong commercial component and provide a wide range of services regarding health, education and professional services to the district. The Parys district has unique nature and environmental assets like the Vaal River with several islands in the proximity of Parys and the Vredefort Dome that present exceptional tourism potential. Large areas of the Parys District are underlain with undifferentiated granite that is exploited directly to the north of Parys that further contribute to Parys being a prominent service and economic centre. Parys has a well-developed airfield that supports commercial and tourism development in the area.

Vredefort is the only town that formed the former Vredefort District. The most prominent economic sector is the agricultural sector. Commercial activities in the town are the only other sector that contributes to the Gross Geographical Product (GGP) of the district. The former Heilbron District is predominantly an agricultural area although major manufacturing industries contribute largely to the Gross Geographic Product of the District. The agriculture and manufacturing industries have a direct influence on the per capita expenditure and employment opportunities of the urban area concerned. The national head office of Clover SA is based in Heilbron and a vast range of products are manufactured here.

Koppies is located in an area of agricultural significance and mainly provides services in this regard to the surrounding rural areas. The three well-established and developed irrigation schemes subsequently enhance the agricultural character of the area. The strategic location of Koppies between the larger centres of Kroonstad and Sasolburg, mainly influence growth and development within the community. The bentonite exploitation near Koppies and the initiative for coal mining in the vicinity of the town provide significant future growth potential. Koppies is becoming well familiar for its tourist attractions.

Specific reference is made to the R82 Battlefield Route that consists of several historical battlefields that are envisaged to be further developed as well as the Koppies Dam Nature Reserve. Edenville is also located in an area of agricultural significance. The main road linking Kroonstad and Heilbron, stretches adjacent to the area.  The most prominent economic sectors contributing to the Gross Geographical Product of the District, include general government, finance, real estate and transport.