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Gauteng Province
Gauteng is placed towards North Eastern South
Africa and was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province
after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27th April
1994. It was initially called Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vereeniging
and renamed Gauteng in December 1994. The name comes from
the Sesotho word meaning "place of Gold" which refers
to the province's economic and historic roots in the gold
industry discovered in 1886 in Johannesburg. Johannesburg
is the provincial capital of Gauteng Province and hosts the
headquarters of most corporations.
Most of the province lies in the heart of
the Highveld, a plateau of grassy plains that covers much
of the central South Africa. Although known as the smallest
among the nine provinces, Gauteng is cosmopolitan with the
richest mix of ethnic groups from all walks of life. The city
is densely populated with approximately 8 million people speaking
different language- Zulu, Sotho, Pedi, Tswana, Afrikaans,
Italians, Portuguese and Greek.
Gauteng has warm climate, thunders during
summers and crisp, dry and sunny winters. Though late spring
and early autumn are the best times to visit Gauteng, the
weather is good all year round for any activity.
Well served by an extensive network of roads
and rail, Gauteng also enjoys the prestige of 5 major airports.
Visitors must have a passport valid for not less than six
months at the time of visit to the province. Those that wish
to travel to South Africa's neighbouring countries and return
to Gauteng must obtain a multiple entry Visa prior to arrival.
The province is highly developed with transport
and communications infrastructure, excellent financial institutions
and well serviced urban environment. Its diversity is expressed
through the myriad events and great offerings like sports
& recreational activities, wildlife, tours, conference
and unique cultural and social legacy in the museums, theatres,
galleries and craft markets. There are many thrilling and
exiting places to go and things to do in Gauteng, plan to
experience this unforgettable moments in this renowned "place
of gold".
Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, Magaliesburg,
Hartebeestpoort, Sandton, Heidelberg and Randburg are the
highlight of Gauteng. The province is a great travel destination
with excellent recreational, business and educational opportunities.
Some of its greatest attractions include:
- Tour to Soweto; South Africa's largest
ghetto
- Premier Diamond Mine, Cullinan
- Gold Reef City
- Cradle of Humankind; a world of caves and
fossils
World famous museums:
- Apartheid Museum
- Hector Pieterson Museum
- Museum Africa
Numerous cultural and craft markets which
include:
- Flea Market World, every Tuesday to Friday
- African Craft Markets that sell nearly
everything under the African sun
- Santon Square for fabulous cultural displays
- The Market Theatre; Johannesburg's innovative
flea market
- Village Walk African Market offering a
fantastic variety of arts and crafts
- The Rosebank Rooftop Market
- Crocodile River Arts & Crafts Ramble
Splendid game viewing at Entabeni Game Reserve
- De Wildt Cheetah Farm
- Croc City Crocodile Farm
- Nelson Mandela Bridge
- Hiking trails, horse trails and 4X4 trails…
- AND SO MUCH MORE
The cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria make
Gauteng the commercial, industrial and administrative heart
of South Africa.
Johannesburg- City of Gold
Johannesburg was originally a mining camp
in the middle of nowhere -It was founded in 1886 with the
discovery of gold by George Harrison on the farm Langlaagte,
hence development of large mining corporations, permanent
structuring and growth of the economy in South Africa. It
is the financial, economic, cultural giant of South Africa
and Africa's most dynamic city where things change in a minute!
The city has been completely rebuilt four times in over a
century, so avoid any pre-1999 suggestions as you visit.
Johannesburg is a city in the northeast of
South Africa in Gauteng- South Africa's smallest province.
The name of the town was derived from the names of two commissioners,
Johannes Rissik and Christiaan Johannes Joubert. The street
names such as Rissik, Harrison and Commissioner in Johannesburg
commemorate the role played by the commissioners and George
Harrison.
Within a year of its foundation, the population
near the mining camp reached 10,000; half were immigrant white
mainly from Great Britain and the other half was from the
surrounding country. More than half of Johannesburg's population
lives in the suburbs of Soweto, Diepkloof and Orange Farm
south- west of the city. Due to her rapid industrialization,
by 1895 the population increased causing conflicts between
the white and the non-white. In the 1922 Rand Revolt, armed
white workers were fearful of being replaced in the mines
by the lower paid non white workers which led to a bloody
strike that was intervened by the government troops. Abolition
of the last apartheid laws in 1991 prompted increased housing
and education opportunities for the blacks in the city.
You can't miss this thrilling experience for
unforgettable memories. Visit Johannesburg's tourist attraction
sites and spoil yourself with:
- Panoramic views from the Carlton Centre
- Gold Reef City- a recreated 1890's mining
village and historical theme park depicting the Golf Rush
days
- Many museums and galleries e.g. Apartheid
museum reflecting the racial segregation suffered a decade
ago
- The Florence bloom bird sanctuary &
many others
- Hilbrow- the melting pot of South African
cultures which was formerly a white's only area with high
rise glass apartment built in 1950s
- cinema & theatre complexes
- lakes & dams for picnic & water
sports
- public library founded in 1889
The city is featured with elegant and splendid
hotels, lodges or guest houses that are well furnished and
equipped.
Johannesburg is the best spot for a romantic
wedding or honeymoon turndown. Some of the activities to venture
into both individual and group; swimming, beach experience
& sports, golf, tennis, mountain bikes, game drives &
walks, hot air ballooning and many more.
Visit Johannesburg and you will keep returning
again and again...
Pretoria-The City of Jacaranda.
Founded in 1855, Pretoria was then declared
the capital of the South African Republic of De Groot Trek.
The city is currently the administrative capital of South
Africa. It was named after Andries Pretorius, a Voortrekker
leader, after his victory over the Zulu kingdom in the battle
at Blood River. Today the city is popularly called Tshwane
which means 'we are the same' or 'we are one because we are
together'. Tshwane was the name of the son of an African chief
who settled in this area. The urban town is regarded as the
original home of the Afrikaans community especially those
who opposed the British role.
Pretoria lies 1370 m above the sea level and
is surrounded by protective mountains. The climate is subtropical
with hot, wet summers and relatively mild, dry winters. It
has exotic trees which were imported from South America some
1000 years ago and gave the town its nick name; 'Jacaranda
city'. Thousands of Jacaranda trees burst into bloom in the
month of October making the city colourful.
Pretoria is a city of tree-lined avenues,
fascinating architecture and many historic monuments. The
city offers a glittering treasure trove of breathtaking, adventures
experience and unforgettable memories. Whatever you fancy,
Pretoria has it all- a friendly city with open streets and
open hearted people, tracks of exotic game and dance, many
cultural and historic sites, museums like the Transvaal Museum
which is a home for Mrs. Ples the australopithecine fossil
found at Sorkerkfontein in the cradle of human kind or the
Pretoria Art museum with natural historic displays, parks
and gardens, splendid state theatres and Union buildings.
For accommodation, the city has well-furnished and equipped
hotels, guest houses and apartments.
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