Knowledge-based or smart regions in South Africa

Knowledge-based activities are seen as key drivers for economic growth and for the shaping of international and national spatial systems. The geographical clustering or agglomeration of knowledge-based activities provides the basis for the emergence of ‘smart regions’. In this paper an investigation is undertaken of the scope, locational patterns and comparative regional advantage for knowledge-based activities in South Africa. The specific focus is upon high technology manufacturing and of the information-technology service activities. It is argued that knowledge-based activities in South Africa are strongly clustered in Gauteng province, particularly in the Johannesburg-Pretoria-Midrand area.