South African cities have been encouraged to continue focusing on promoting their diverse cultural scenes, sustainable urban development, and investment in infrastructure. This is after only two South African cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg, were ranked in the top 100 cities globally in the inaugural Brand Finance City Index.
The prompting to persist and improve was done by Jeremy Sampson, managing director of Brand Finance Africa.
Cape Town was named Africa’s best city brand and 60th in the world, whereas Johannesburg is ranked third in Africa, and 72nd in the world. The rankings are based on a global survey of close to 15 000 members of the public, conducted during April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents.
“Prioritising safety, inclusivity, and social equality, South African cities can create welcoming environments that encourage tourism and promote more positive global perceptions in the coming years,” said Sampson.
“With its exceptional beauty and extraordinary diversity, South Africa is truly a remarkable nation that enjoys a lively reputation for tourism.”
While Cape Town faces socio-economic challenges, it ranks positively for future growth potential, in 18th place globally.
“This is largely attributed to its growing tourism industry, which presents opportunities for economic growth and job creation.”
Cape Town’s high position is due to, among other factors, its strategic location as a major port and transportation hub, offering a gateway to trade and investment opportunities, especially with emerging markets in Africa. Egypt’s Cairo is ranked 67th globally, second continentally.
Experiencing higher crime rates compared to other areas in South Africa, Johannesburg is 76th globally, held back by perceptions of its crime levels. However, the city also ranks highly on the chart for its future growth potential, at 25th globally.
The index named London as the best city brand in the world, with New York at second position and Paris third.
