Cato Ridge Area Profile

Cato Ridge at a glance

The town of Cato Ridge is situated about 30 km southeast of Pietermaritzburg and 50 km northwest of Durban. It strategically lies along the Mariannhill Toll Road between Assagay and Camperdown, just a little further west of Inchanga.

Known as Durban's 'Dry Port', Cato Ridge is a growing industrial node. Distribution and logistics companies have set up warehouses here to store their goods before distributing them to other parts of the country. 

One of the main reasons that Cato Ridge has become the preferred location for manufacturing, logistics, and distribution companies is because of the great access to the highway between Johannesburg and Durban.

As a result of the massive developments planned for the future, Cato Ridge is becoming an attractive residential area. The splendid countryside life and views of the Valley of 1000 Hills also make it a sought-after location for homebuyers.

History

Cato Ridge was named after George Christopher Cato (1814-1893). He was the first mayor of Durban from 1854 to 1856. Georgedale, which is part of Cato Ridge, was the birthplace of James Mpanza who became known as the 'Father of Soweto'.
 
Commercial hotspots

Although Cato Ridge is widely known for its industrial activities, commercial enterprises have also seen immense profits in the area. Since it is tranquilly situated in the Valley of 1000 Hills, convenient upmarket guest houses and other accommodation options have emerged. 

The area is also known for its special attractions - making way for retail businesses that provide services and products for out of towners. 

Industrial hotspots

The industrial node in Cato Ridge provides the local communities with job opportunities and contributes to the province's economy. Its transport linkages place businesses at a greater advantage than other areas. Especially for investors that appreciate the convenient positioning between Johannesburg and the Durban Port. 

Cato Ridge is mainly home to large industrial, logistics, manufacturing, and transport companies. Companies such as Value Logistics, Bakers Transport, Merlog Foods, Safal Steel, Assmang, Cato Ridge Truck Stop, Frey's Food Brands, and Omnia Fertiliser have entrenched their roots in Cato Ridge. 

Infrastructure

The N3's Durban to Johannesburg freight corridor is one of South Africa's major freight route. Cato Ridge is ideally situated on the N3 freight corridor making it easily accessible when travelling between the two cities. Cato Ridge is 35 km from Durban's Port, the busiest port in Africa, making it a breeze for logistics companies.

The King Shaka International Airport is 76 km away from Cato Ridge, while the Pietermaritzburg Airport is 27 km.

Transport

Private vehicles, public taxis, and buses are the most popular transport options in Cato Ridge. The Metrorail also has a route from Durban Station going into Cato Ridge. 

Amenities

Shopping malls near Cato Ridge include Hammarsdale Junction Mall, Watercrest Mall, and Hillgate Shopping Centre.

Restaurants such as the Clubhouse at the Cato Ridge Golf Club and Intaba View Restaurant are fantastic eateries in the area. The Assagay Coffee Farm is a top spot for coffee enthusiasts.

For healthcare options, the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital is located just 15 minutes from Cato Ridge. The Midlands Medical Centre and St Annes Medical Centre are also nearby.

Why invest in Cato Ridge

While existing companies are thriving as a result of being strategically located in Cato Ridge, there is immense potential for new developments. 

The Cato Ridge Development Project aims to make the area the logistic hub in KwaZulu-Natal. This Dry Port will serve as a back-of-port facility that will assist in decongestion at the Port of Durban and CBD. It will ultimately create additional capacity for the Port of Durban. 

The R18 billion project will be an integrated logistic hub with associated value-added services. Sectors that stand to benefit from these developments include transportation, infrastructure, as well as logistics and supply chain.

The Cato Ridge Dry Port project is set to be rolled out over the next 25 to 30 years. 

Future developments at the Cato Ridge Dry Port include:

• A rail terminal that can handle approximately 90K twenty-foot equivalent units per annum. This will be expanded to a fully-fledged dry port intermodal facility with the capacity to handle 500K TEUs. It will be supported by SARS customs services to manage freight clearance and bonded warehousing facilities.
• A truck stop and staging facility will accommodate 300 parking bays with all ancillary support structures for drivers. It will also include vehicle maintenance and testing facilities.
• Logistics parks that will accommodate warehousing, freight handling logistics, and freight preparation facilities.
• An industrial park to provide manufacturing opportunities.
• In the long term, a tank farm will serve as a strategic fuel storage facility.

Create your upside in Cato Ridge

Cato Ridge is thriving with potential. The Cato Ridge Dry Port project has sparked interest in the industrial node, resulting in several property sales and enquiries. Do not miss out on the opportunity to secure your spot in an area that is set on reaching greater heights. Contact Upside Properties today to secure your investment in Cato Ridge.

View our industrial properties for sale in Cato Ridge here. 

View our industrial properties to let in Cato Ridge here.

View our vacant land for sale in Cato Ridge here. 

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