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Gauteng


Gauteng

Gauteng is divided into 6 tourism regions. Each offers unique insights and adventures for tourists. Steeped in history and heritage, you can find the remains of the first hominids and the first records of the earliest known use of fire. One of the world's largest diamonds was discovered in the town of Cullinan and it is also where the region's rich gold vein was struck.

Gauteng has maintained the pioneering spirit of a mining town and the province's history is a colourful one.

Visitors can enjoy outstanding restaurants, catering to global tastes, museums, art galleries and theatres and some of the country's largest shopping centres. Its charm lies in its African optimism and the surprising mix of First and Third World cultures.

The name Gauteng derives from the Sotho word meaning ‘Place of Gold’. An apt title as much of this province’s wealth comes from this precious metal.

Johannesburg. The discovery of gold near Johannesburg in 1886, turned a small tent and shanty town into the bustling, vibrant and scenic metropolis it is today, with a sophisticated road, rail and air infrastructure. Johannesburg has developed as the commercial and industrial giant of Southern Africa, and offers a variety of tourist attractions. Popular visits include trips to Gold Reef City where you can descend underground, see a bar of gold being poured or just browse the city of yesteryear.  Soweto gives a unique perspective on life in a township with memorials to the resistance movement that was so active during the apartheid era. A great selection of superb shopping centres, shops, restaurants, recreational, sporting and entertainment spots are located in and around this city of gold. Top Convention Centres ensure superb meeting and exhibition venues.


Sandton to the north of Johannesburg is a large, affluent suburban and business centre boasting one of the largest shopping complexes in South Africa - Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square. There are also many fine restaurants in the area. The concentration of top class hotels and office blocks in these parts supports in fact that this is one of the most important and sought after business centres in our country. Good freeways provide easy access to all parts of Greater Johannesburg including Midrand and the airport. Kyalami racetrack and the Lippezaner horse centre are easily accessible.

Although Tshwane metropolis is as sophisticated as the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan, life here moves at a gentler pace. Home to the Jacaranda-lined streets of Pretoria, the administrative capital, the city has a dignity and charm of ages past as reflected in her colonial architecture.

The historic Union Buildings command a view over much of Pretoria. Designed by architect Sir Herbert Baker, it is the seat of government in South Africa. Other places of interest reflect the history and culture of the country.

North west from Johannesburg is the Sterkfontein Valley with the World Heritage Site of the Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng – ‘returning to the place of origin’. The main attraction is the Sterkfontein caves, where the 2.3 million year old hominid "Mrs Ples" was discovered in 1947 and the 4 million year old "Little Foot" was found in 1997.


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