Westonaria, South Africa

Capital City

Living 45 km west of Johannesburg, residents of Westonaria face a persistent bureaucratic headache. During apartheid, Africans were relegated to the nearby township of Bekkersdal, while the town itself developed 18 km south of Randfontein in 1948. The name 'Westonaria' is a homophone of 'western area', reflecting the township's origins with the Western Areas Ltd development company.

While the town has grown since attaining municipal status in 1952, its remote location and tangled history continue to pose challenges. Westonaria is best suited for those seeking an affordable alternative to Johannesburg who can navigate its administrative complexities.