Jobs in Kempton Park

While OR Tambo International (as mentioned above) plays a dominant part on the economy of this region, it also features Spartan, a large industrial zone with many chemical manufacturing and other industrial sites; nearby Modderfontein, a heavy industrial area housing the AECI Dynamite factory; and, when it comes to entertainment, the Emperor’s Palace Casino.

Kempton Park's average salary is R299k, which is relatively high within the South African setting. However, considerably more per annum can be earned at the likes of AECI (R620 380 / average per annum), Knorr Brake Corporation (R777 000 / average per annum), Komatsu (R538 572 / average per annum), Sandvik Mining and Construction (R509 500 / average per annum), Ziegler (R734 694 / average per annum), Schenker International (R711 000 / average per annum), and NCP Chlorchem (R766 245 / average per annum).

For those looking for work in the area, or indeed planning on relocating here, the most popular occupations, according to Payscale, include that of a bookkeeper, operations manager, credit controller, HR manager, office administrator, and payroll administrator.

A glance at the Executive Placements jobs portal reveals a dire need for technical specialists and engineers, so be sure to look over the full scope of these across service technician, installation electrician, senior civil engineer, PV engineer, if this is your chosen career beat.

There are also plenty of sales and marketing roles (see sales consultant, sales representative, regional sales manager, and customer sales consultant), as well as administrative and finance jobs (operations invoicing clerk, office manager, accountant, administrator, and financial clerk). Simply take you pick, and submit your CV without delay.

Leadhome in Gauteng advises that this is a town offering excellent value for money across its popular suburbs, including Birch Acres, Birchleigh, Bonaero Park, Glen Marais, Norkem Park, Edleen, Aston Manor, Croydon and Bredell, Allen Grove, Aston Manor, Bredell, Cresslawn, Croydon, Edleen, Esther Park, Glen Marais, Kempton Park West, Nimrod Park, Norkem Park, Pomona, Rhodesfield, Spartan, Terenure, and Van Riebeeck Park.

Stand-alone homes are priced from R400k (entry-level) to R16 million (in an upmarket estate - but no matter the level at which you are buying, 'most homes are situated within gated areas, security complexes, and security estates.'

This property group ranks Van Riebeeck Park, Glen Marais, and Serengeti Golf Estate as being the suburbs with the most opulent homes; particularly the latter, which offers a world-class lifestyle, highly rated restaurants, and many enviable leisure facilities, together with a Curro Serengeti Private School.

Most existing homeowners are aged 36 to 49, while new buyers tend to be between 18 and 35 years of age.

Jacaranda FM reveals that tennis legend Roger Federer's mother was born in Kempton Park, while up-and-coming hip-hop artist Martin Kekana (better known as Numi), is currently Kempton Park based - according to The Citizen. On a more dubious note, jailed bank robber Andre Stander was formerly a police officer in Kempton Park for 17 years, from 1963 to 1980.

Hey Sports advises that there are numerous popular sporting facilities to choose from in the Kempton Park area. Pick your favourite activity according to the facility offering it below, and you’re all set for an active lifestyle:

• the Kempton Park Golf Course on Green Avenue, first designed in 1965, where Ernie Els learnt how to play the game;
• Avion Tennis Club, in Highveld Road, which also features a bar for after-hours toasting;
• the Ice Skating Rink at Kempton Park Festival Mall, perfect to keep the kids entertained during inclement weather;
• CrossFit Kempton, in Dann Road, offering excellent coaching, friendly people to train with, and what reviewers have described as ';an awesome atmosphere';
• Ritoru Tatsu Freestyle Judo Club, also in Green Avenue beside the golf club, for those keen to learn a form of martial arts that is more graceful discipline and intelligence, than brute strength.

Property investment company, Century 21, reveals that Kempton Park was founded in 1903 – when Carl (or possibly Karl) Friedrick Wolff subdivided a farm he owned, Zuurfontein, into 216 residential plots. In the process, he renamed the surrounding land Kempten, after his German hometown in Bavaria; and, soon after, the name was changed to Kempton Park.

Of interest, is the fact that Wolff came to South Africa in 1875, to open an office for a London-based company. Before long, he had been appointed a negotiator between the Nobel Trust, and ZAR president at the time Paul Kruger, on the establishment of a dynamite factory at Modderfontein (mentioned above).

He proved highly efficient at the role, reports The Citizen, which was a critical one at the time because ‘gold fever had gripped the Witwatersrand … [and] the dynamite factory was a vital industrial necessity’.

Another interesting fact is that Africa’s busiest airport, originally known as Jan Smuts International, was built on land next to the town and officially opened in 1953. Its name changed in the late 1990s to Johannesburg International, and finally in 2006 to its current name of OR Tambo International.

Described by Century 21 as a ‘quaint residential suburb with marvellous amenities’ that is a ‘great place to settle down and invest’, top leisure activities in the area can be listed as follows:

• Octavia’s Day Spa, an award-winning wellness venue that provides not only world-renowned spa treatments for its clients, but also cutting-edge facilities such as a Swiss shower, sauna, steam room, and Roman baths;
• Rallystar Motorsport Academy, for an exhilarating and adrenaline-filled day on the track that you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry;
• latia, for the ultimate in authentic Greek cuisine, including their famous slow-roasted lamb shank stuffed with herbs, and a pretty mouth-watering moussaka too. Vegetarian options are plentiful on the Meze Platter;
• Triple Desire Brewery, with its regular tastings that are often showcased at festival and events across Gauteng;
• the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace, where it's not uncommon to enjoy the performances of Barry Hilton, David Ize, Nataniël, and Kevin Fraser. Click here to remain updated on the season’s best and most entertaining comedians, musicians, and more.

Because there are so many choices when it come to shopping malls in the Kempton Park vicinity, it is important to make your selection according to the specific vibe that suits you best.

Birch Acres Mall, located on Andre Mapheto Drive just north of Kempton Park, offers shoppers 65 retail stores situated over 26 000m² – so, you’re sure to find all the health, beauty, clothing, banking, and food offerings you are familiar with, within its well-secured precinct.

Bonaero Park Shopping Centre, on the corner of Atlas and Geldenhuys Roads, with its ample free parking and 24-hour security, has recently extended the hours of its Checkers store from 8am to 8pm. This level of grocery-related convenience has been carried over in the wide variety of other shops located here, which include a laundromat, a Crazy Store, and a Matrix Computers.

Kempton Gate Mall is a compact centre that lists its retail offerings here. Known to be both dynamic and lively, it welcomes a high volume of visitors on a daily basis; while Kempton Square on Voortrekker Road, with its open-air set up, promises easy access and non-claustrophobic retail therapy by the hour.

On the big and bold side is Festival Mall – Kempton Park’s largest and most popular shopping centre, saving residents and visitors to the area, alike, a trip to Sandton City. Joburg.co.za advises that it is situated near the airport, directly off the R21 highway, and has as its biggest entertainment drawcard the only ice rink on the East Rand (mentioned in the sporting section, above). But you can also do your monthly home stock-up here, as the mall’s four anchor stores are Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, and Game.

Lastly, there’s the newly renovated Norkem Corner Mall, on the corner of Mooi River Road and James Wright Avenue, which rightfully enjoyed its facelift after efficiently servicing the nearby community for over 30 years. Its Woolworths Food is understandably well frequented, together with its Ackermans store for kids clothing, and the best of ladies fashions at Miladys.