Vanderbijlpark is south of Johannesburg, on the banks of the Vaal River. It is considered an industrial city in the Gauteng province of South Africa, known for its heavy industry, steelworks, and its location on the Vaal River, forming part of the Vaal Triangle urban area with Vereeniging and Sasolburg.
The town was named after a young American scientist, by the name of Dr HJ van der Bijl, who was requested by the then Prime Minister Jan Smuts to advise on South Africa's industrial development. The steelworks began operating in 1947 and the town was proclaimed in 1949. Despite being industrial, the city has some very upmarket residential suburbs along the Vaal River which hold some of the most expensive homes in South Africa. The Vaal River being a popular holiday destination for many South Africans who own holiday homes along the banks of the river and water sports are a popular activity in the river.
Besides for the Vaal River, Vanderbijlpark is home to the Emerald Casino Resort, Emfuleni Golf Course and the recently constructed Vaal Mall. There are public swimming facilities available and the Vaal Horse Race Course is about 3 km from this city. This is unlike many of its gold-mining neighbours in the Vaal Triangle (which include Vereeniging, Meyerton and Sasolburg). The area was established as a residential area for the local steel workers and their families in 1947. Since then, it has flourished and grown, and is now home to the largest steelworks in the southern hemisphere.
It is characterized by distinct suburbs like Marlbank (as seen in Photo), offering a mix of residential areas, amenities, and proximity to attractions like the Emerald Casino and NWU campus.