By the end of 1978 a statutory Guide Plan Committee for the KOS-AREA had been established by the former Department of Planning in order to facilitate the preparation of a broad land-use framework for the area.

It was in 1986 that the Klerksdorp-Orkney-Stilfontein-hartbeesfontein Local Authorities convened a Joint Planning Committee for the KOSH area, later this was to be replaced by the KOSH-2000 FORUM.

The KOSH area includes Klerksdorp,Jouberton, Alabama, Manzilark, Orkney, Kanana, Vaal Reefs, Stilfontein, Khuma, Hartbeesfontein and Tigane.

Not only does KOSH lie within the very heart of what are arguably the richest gold, platinum, nickel and diamond deposits to be found any where in the world but it is also the springboard to some of the most interesting and varied tourist, anthropological, historical and ecologically significant destinations on the subcontinent.

In this semi-arid part of South Africa, the strong perennial flow of the Vaal River, the geographical boundary between the Free State and the Northwest Province, is a vast playground for watersport enthusiasts and fishermen alike, as well as being the main regional water source in the area.

By 1984 KOSH had already occupied 4^th position in the National Hierarchy of Towns, (excluding the 4 internationally recognized metropolitan areas of PWV, Cape, Durban and Port Elizabeth) according to the National Physical Development Plan (1984 Revision) and today poses a very rel challenge to its once superior hierarchy members.

In support of this claim, the Urban Development Index - the UDI � a combination of all the relevant development facets, including locality, population, employment, economic activity, Gross Geographical Product (GGP), income and education levels and presenting a much clearer picture of the level of development of the major cities and towns in South Africa, records that the KOSH area can be classified as the second largest urban area after Bloemfontein for development potential.

Steeped in history as the area is, perhaps the most glamorous feature is the meteoric initial growth of Klerksdorp, the first white settlement to be founded in the Transvaal fter the discovery of gold in 1866.

From it humble beginnings as a hastily erected mining village serving the inevitable rush of fortune seekers to the area and growing rapidly to nearly 200 stores, 70 bars (thirsty work!�mining) and a stock exchange, Klerksdorp's lightning expansion came to an abrupt end not 12 months after as it was realized that the elusive golden horde demanded more complex and costly recovery techniques than most diggers could afford and they made a quiet retreat to greener pastures, elsewhere.

Thanks to the ongoing improvement of mining extraction methods, prosperity again returned to the area and in 199, after a successful application by its Executive Committee, the town of Klerksdorp was granted City Status, the first in the Northwest Province.

Not only does KOSH lie within the very heart of what are arguably the richest gold, platinum and diamond deposits to be found anywhere in the world, but it is also the springboard to some of the most interesting and varied tourist, anthropological, historical and ecologically significant destinations on the subcontinent.

The Great Outdoors

The KOSH does not offer the hustle and bustle of major cities, but nowhere in South Africa will you find as much celebration of the outdoors than in the rustic beauty of the KOSH area. A wealth of excellent sporting and leisure facilities is available.

Experience the country in the city� Any reader who has even only been afforded a cursory look at the preceding pages must at once realise the tremendous potential the KOSH area holds for the businessmen, the professional or the entrepreneur within its boundaries.

Here lies a still slumbering commercial giant, waiting only for the right signals to flex its financial muscle, a single urban entity with far greater national and regional status in terms of development potential, agglomeration advantages and marketing opportunities than an individualistic and uncoordinated development approach would imply.

KOSH, demonstrating all the basics growth trends of an emerging metropolitan conglomerate, has already enjoyed over the past 8 years alone property development

in excess of R200 million in value. It continues to grow at an exponential rate, notwithstanding the reported deceleration of the economy in many sectors, both public and private, in the formerly traditional financial strongholds throughout the country.

It remains only for interested parties to motivate further enquiries regarding business participation in the KOSH area, pay the area a see-for-yourself visit, and calculate the very real incentives in place for any industrialist to come to the conclusion that there are perhaps none better on offer in the way of business opportunities than those which already exist within KOSH .

KOSH is a place not just lived upon, it is loved!