The Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality is situated in South Africa's manufacturing heartland. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and culturally diverse region with over 2.5 million residents. The area has around 8 000 industries and is responsible for about 23 percent of the gross geographical product of Gauteng province, which is sub- Saharan Africa's most economically powerful and active region.

The municipality is comprised of nine towns of the former East Rand, namely Greater Alberton, Benoni, Germiston, Springs, Kempton Park , Edenvale, Nigel, Brakpan and Boksburg. Ekurhuleni is a Tsonga word and can loosely be translated as the place of peace. It denotes a place where working together to create a peaceful and prosperous environment is encouraged and undertaken by the residents who are bound together by their love for peace.

From the world's largest producer of gold a century ago, the geographical area known as the East Rand has become an entity of note in a globally competitive business and industry. The mining boom that led to the emergency of the East Rand, also prompted the growth of a substantial manufacturing support base in the area.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council comprises of 175 Councillors, led by the Executive Mayor, Speaker and 10 members of the Mayoral Committee, responsible for political guidance, instruction and authority.

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