In 1979, the Regional Industrial Decentralised Programme resulted in the then Apartheid Government establishing border industries in Fort Jackson, Mdantsane, to bring employment opportunities to the area. A subsidised bus service was introduced to facilitate this, but did not last long as a result of the late 1970’s bus boycotts. It was replaced with a non-subsidised taxi service. By the end of the 1980’s, nearly 7500 jobs were available in Fort Jackson, but this declined as a result of the withdrawal of the decentralised subsidies, leaving the larger portion of Fort Jackson under-utilised. Many of the factories in this area then fell into disrepair.
Today, this is once again a growing industrial area supporting local, national and international industry.