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Province:
Gauteng
Although the smallest of the nine provices, Gauteng (Sotho word for
the Place of Gold) is the powerhouse of South Africa and the heart of
its commercial business and industrial sectors. It generates nearly
half the country's GDP.
Gauteng's main cities are Johannesburg, the largest city in southern
Africa; Pretoria, the administrative capital; and Soweto.
The province blends cultures and colours and first- and third-world
traditions into a spirited mix that is flavoured by many foreign influences.
Gauteng's primary attraction is business opportunity, but there is more
to this province. There is a wealth of culture to be mined in the museums,
galleries, art routes and battlefields.
Most overseas visitors enter South Africa via Johannesburg International
Airport.
Johannesburg, also nicknamed Egoli (place of gold), is the capital of
the province and is a city of contrasts. Mine dumps and headgear stand
proudly as symbols of its rich past, while modern architecture rubs
shoulders with examples of 19th century engineering prowess. Gleaming
skyscrapers contrast with Indian bazaars and African 'muti' (medicine)
shops, where traditional healers dispense advice and traditional medicine.
The busy streets ring out with the call of fruit sellers and street
vendors. An exciting blend of ethnic and Western art and cultural activities
is reflected in theatres and open-air arenas throughout the city.
South of Johannesburg is Soweto, a city developed as a township for
black people under the apartheid system. Most of the struggle against
apartheid was fought in and from Soweto. Soweto is estimated to be inhabited
by over two million people with homes ranging from extravagant mansions
to makeshift shacks. Soweto is a city of enterprise and cultural interaction.
It is a popular tourist destination with sites such as Kliptown where
the Freedom Charter was drawn up, the home of former President Nelson
Mandela, the Hector Petersen Memorial site, restaurants and shopping
malls. It boasts one of the largest hospitals on the continent and the
only African-owned private clinic.
Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria.
As administrative capital of the Republic, the city is dominated by
government services and the diplomatic corps of foreign representatives
in South Africa.
Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, partcularly
beautiful in spring when the 50 000 jacarandas envelop the avenues in
mauve. The city developed at a more sedate pace than Johannesburg, and
the town planners had the foresight to include an abundance of open
spaces. Pretoria has more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries
and nature reserves.
An air of history pervades much of central Pretoria, especially Church
Square, around which the city has grown. Many buildings of historical
and architectural importance have been retained or restored to their
former splendour.
North of Pretoria is the industrial area of Rosslyn and the township
of Soshanguve. To the east is Cullinan, known for its diamonds.
Other important Gauteng towns include Krugersdorp and Roodepoort on
the West Rand, and Germiston, Springs, Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan and
Kempton Park on the East Rand. The hominid sites at Swartkrans, Sterkfontein
and Kromdraai (also known as the Cradle of Humankind) are World Heritage
Sites.
Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging in the south of the province are major
industrial centres, while Heidelberg, Nigel and Bronkhorstspruit to
the east are important agricultural areas.
Although the province is highly urbanised and industrialised, it contains
wetlands of international importance, such as Blesbokspruit near Springs.
The people
Gauteng is the most densely populated province in South Africa. It houses
more than seven million of the country's people. The level of urbanisation
is 97%.
Gauteng has the most important educational and health centres in the
country. Pretoria boasts the largest residential university in South
Africa, the University of Pretoria, and what is believed to be the largest
correspondence university in the world, the University of South Africa
(Unisa). Only some 9,5% of adults in the province have received no schooling.
Another attribute of Pretoria is the number of scientific institutes
in and around the city, for example the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute and the South African
Bureau of Standards (SABS). Johannesburg has two residential universities.
There are several teacher training colleges, technical colleges and
technikons in the province.
More than 60% of South Africa's research and development takes place
in Gauteng.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector in Gauteng has over 9 300 firms, employing
more than 600 000 people. Gross annual output exceeds R50 billion and
is expected to grow significantly as international markets open up.
Industries that have contributed significantly to this output are: basic
iron and steel; fabricated and metal products; food; machinery, electrical
machinery, appliances and electrical supplies; motor vehicle parts and
accessories, and chemical products.
Technology
The economy of the province is being re-aligned to move away from traditional
heavy industry markets and low value-added production towards sophisticated
high value-added production, particularly in information technology,
telecommunications and other high-tech industries. The burgeoning 'high-tech'
corridor in Midrand (halfway between Pretoria and Johannesburg) is the
most rapidly developing area in the country.
Agriculture and industry
Gauteng's agricultural sector is geared to provide the cities and towns
of the province with daily fresh produce, including dairy products,
vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs and flowers.
A large area of the province falls within the so-called maize triangle.
The districts of Bronkhorstspruit, Cullinan and Heidelberg hold important
agricultural land, where ground-nuts, sunflowers, cotton and sorghum
are produced.
This summer-rainfall area has hot summers and cold winters with frost.
Hail is common during the summer thunderstorms. Snowfalls rarely occur.
Gauteng is an integrated industrial complex with major areas of economic
activity in five subregional areas, namely the Vaal Triangle, the East,
West and Central Rand, and Pretoria. The Vaal Triangle has a strong
manufacturing sector; the West Rand concentrates on primary mining,
and the Central Witwatersrand is dominated by the manufacturing and
finance sectors, with mining capital playing a major role. All sectors
rely heavily on the Vaal Dam on the Vaal River, from where water is
piped across the province.
Gauteng has a greater proportion of its labour force in professional,
technical, managerial and executive positions than any other province.
Johannesburg houses the JSE Securities Exchange, the largest in Africa.
The province's economic magnetism draws a large inflow of migrant labour
from poorer regions in the country. It is the province with the highest
per capita income.
Tourism
Beginning at the beginning. Where it all began. When apes first stood
upright. Yet it also means buying an Armani at the tip of Africa. Gauteng
is where the creative spirit of a nation converges in a dense cultural
heartland. It is the intersection of African and global trade. And with
the weather this good, it is natural that our sporting stadiums are
loud with obsessive fans and our game reserves teeming with life of
all kinds. Humankind did not just begin here, it continues in the experience
that is Gauteng.
Welcome to Gauteng, Place of Gold – the economic powerhouse of the Southern
African region and home to Africa's greatest cities. From the vibrant
metropolis of Soweto, through dynamic Johannesburg, City of Gold to
the tree-lined diplomacy of Pretoria, Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural
mix of people from all walks of life, from all four corners of the world.
Symbol of rebirth, the miracle that is South Africa was reborn in the
Cradle of Humankind – the heart of Gauteng. Ours is the home of the
Freedom Charter, the cornerstone of our country’s Constitution. Now
recognized as the world's finest, our Constitution is a blueprint for
the liberty of all humankind
Shopping, Dining and Entertainment
Gauteng is Africa with a difference. Our restaurants offer everything
from the most mundane franchised burger, to elaborate and exotic themes
reserved for the well heeled. Food offerings can be listed by continent.
From Africa, local traditions are up against the best from our neighbors
in Mozambique and even as far afield as Morocco. Asia is represented
in the settled communities and traditions of China, India, Japan, Thailand
and even Vietnam. The traditions of Europe and the Middle East have
also filtered through in innumerable gastronomic offerings.
Gauteng is also a melting pot of fashion, music and entertainment. From
a designer boutique to a smoky jazz club the pulse of Gauteng will always
find a way to speak to you. When the thudding of traditional African
drums resounds in the distance of a sedate organic market nestled in
the ancient mountains of the Magaliesberg, you know you are in Gauteng.
It is a place where cultures converge and continents collide.
History and Heritage
The complexity of our history and heritage is unavoidable. Human evolution
began here. Yet it is ironic that humanity suffered in the place of
its genesis and that the scar of a crashing meteorite (Tswaing Crater)
is not as heavily etched on our souls as the cruelty of Apartheid. But
history did not begin with Apartheid. The kingdoms and people of Gauteng
live on in our oral traditions and the stories of our ancestors. But
the settlers arrived and our stories were retold.
Take some time to discover the real Gauteng. Uncover the stories of
the Basotho, Tswana and Pedi peoples who roamed the plains and mountains.
Learn about their wars and their ways and experience the richness of
our diverse history.
Still, let us not forget why we are able to tell our stories again.
The many monuments, such as the Hector Petersen Memorial (Soweto) and
the Women's Memorial (Pretoria) are some of the historic testimonies
to the bravery of our heroes. The Sharpeville Memorial – a reminder
of where protestors where killed, Hector Petersen Memorial – a tribute
to the youth of Soweto who died in the 1976 uprising, and many others
stand as testament to the sons and daughters of Gauteng who gave their
lives for us. But there is much more to Gauteng‘s heritage than Palaeantology
and politics.
The Sophiatown Renaissance of the 50s gave us musicians, writers and
artists who have become international legends today. Miriam Makeba and
Hugh Masekela carry the light of Gauteng’s colourful history throughout
the world.
None, however, are more famous than our Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, one
of the most recognized statesman in this century.
Arts and Culture
There is no critic, dead or alive that can begin to define the complexity
of Arts and Culture in Gauteng. From the ancient drums and buffalo horn
sounds of the great African kingdoms, to the modern global arts trends,
the Gauteng arts and culture landscape blossoms with innovation and
diversity. From the depths and splendor of the landscapes and traditions
of our peoples – comes a fierce yet humble spark of creation, a drum
that houses centuries of expression, while at the same time paving pathways
of present and great cultures to come.
The unquestionable love and mystique that our people bestow on the creation
that is ourselves, is evident in every traditional rite, our musical
notes, festivities, and everything we do. A simple sneeze in Gauteng
easily evokes centuries of oral traditions, of worlds past and present.
It is in this spirit of artistic awe that we invite you into our world
– the mysteries and abundance of our cultures, of ourselves.
Business
From the agrarian and cattle fortunes of our past, emerges the biggest
trade chain and hub on the African continent. Gauteng is the clay pot
in which African and global business is brewed. A major role player
in the global economic sectors, our Gauteng ensures multiple harvests
– from the ever-green fields of business shores.
Whether it is a billion - rand gold empire or a small community business,
Gauteng offers best practice and innovative sustainable wealth cultivation.
We would like you, to experience the simplicity, the quirky and most
sophisticated business networks of our Gauteng.
Nature, Wildlife, Outdoor and Adventure
Africa enjoys centre stage when issues of nature and wildlife are under
spotlight. We would like to eradicate all your fantasies – introduce
you to the big five and hundreds of other natural, plant and animal
species just a few minutes drive from the comfort of your five star
hotel room.
Only in Gauteng can one be dazzled by the blending of contrasts – an
abundance of starry African skies amid glittering city lights. The contrasts
vary from anything like the most technologically advanced telecommunication
empire, to the oldest fossil excavation sites imaginable. The flow of
Gauteng’s scenic beauty thrills as much as it relaxes – rooting you
to the very basics of creation – people in harmony with nature.
Sport and Events
Gauteng is the indisputable sporting Mecca of South Africa. The province
was host to the South African Formula One Grand Prix in 1993, Rugby
World Cup Final in 1995, and the All Africa Games in 1998. We will also
host the Cricket World Cup in 2003. These are sporting credentials that
speak to a passion of world standard.
When the sun goes down, our stadiums light up to the sounds of Africa's
most revered artists, including the likes of Ishmael Lo, Angelique Kidjo,
world renowned Brenda Fassie, graciously blending with international
superstars. Here is where Africa has danced to sounds of Michael Jackson,
UB40 and myriad other acts that cannot avoid Gauteng on their world
tours.
And for those who simply arrive to conduct business or convene a meeting
or conference, our golf courses rank among the best in the world. Gauteng
is simply a world of sports and events rolled into an accessible landscape
of world-class luxury and exotic experiences.
Gauteng is where it all happens – all the time.
AREA: GAUTENG SOUTH
Towns:
Vereeniging
|
Vanderbijl
Park | Alberton
AREA: GAUTENG NORTH
Towns:
Pretoria
| Centurion
| Cullinan
| Bronkhorstspruit
AREA: GAUTENG WEST
Towns:
Roodepoort
| Muldersdrift
| Lanseria
| Krugersdorp |
Magaliesburg
|
Hekpoort
AREA: GAUTENG EAST
Towns:
Bedfordview
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Benoni
| Edenvale
| Kempton
Park
| Midrand
| Boksburg
| Heidelberg
| Springs
| Germiston
AREA: GAUTENG CENTRAL
Towns:
Randburg
| Sandton
| Florida
| Johannesburg
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