Gauteng is the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces but comprises the largest share of the South African population. Financial and business services, logistics, manufacturing, property, telecommunications and trade are some of the most important economic sectors. The province is an integrated industrial complex with major areas of economic activity in three subregional areas, namely the Vaal Triangle; the East, West and Central Rand, and Pretoria. Johannesburg houses the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited, the largest securities exchange in Africa. Most overseas visitors enter South Africa via OR Tambo International Airport. Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa and home to the Union Buildings.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg, city, Gauteng province, South Africa. It is the country’s chief industrial and financial metropolis. One of the youngest of the world’s major cities, Johannesburg was founded in 1886, following the discovery of gold. The city was initially part of the Transvaal, an independent Afrikaner, or Boer, republic that later became one of the four provinces of South Africa. Today the city is a part of Gauteng (a Sotho word meaning “Place of Gold”), one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Back in 1886, when gold was discovered, what is now Johannesburg was an expanse of sleepy, treeless veld. Now the economic engine of Africa, it’s the sprawling, infuriating, invigorating home to six million people and extreme contrasts of wealth and poverty. The city has a reputation as a place to avoid, but its energy and vibrancy are seductive. The highly cosmopolitan city boasts South Africa’s most famous townships, its most diverse cultural life, some of its best restaurants and the most progressive nightlife.

Johannesburg is a cultural hub in South Africa and has a wide variety of cultural venues, making it a prominent area for many creative and cultural industries. Apartheid museum, constitution hill, Johannesburg art gallery. Johannesburg has not traditionally been known as a tourist destination, but the city is a transit point for connecting flights to Cape Town, Durban, and the Kruger National Park. Consequently, most international visitors to South Africa pass through Johannesburg at least once, which has led to the development of several attractions for tourists. Recent additions have centred on history museums, such as the Apartheid Museum (with related visits to Constitution Hill) and the Hector Pieterson Museum. There is also a large industry around visiting former townships, such as Soweto and Alexandra. Most visitors to Soweto see the Mandela Museum, which is located in the former home of Nelson Mandela. On the culture front, the city has several art museums, such as the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which featured South African and European landscape and figurative paintings. Shopping is often popular with tourists, as the city offers a range of venues and experiences, from numerous upmarket shopping malls such as Sandton City, Mall of Africa, and Nelson Mandela Square, to various markets and flea markets, such as the Oriental Plaza and the Rosebank Flea Market; the latter are popular for souvenirs and African art.

Pretoria

Pretoria is one of South Africa’s three capital cities, serving as the seat of the executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. (Cape Town is the legislative capital and Bloemfontein the judicial capital.) Historically an Afrikaner stronghold, today it’s a cosmopolitan mix of civil servants, diplomats and students from South Africa and around the world.

The city of Pretoria is located in the northern part of Gauteng. It is one of South Africa’s three capital cities, serving as the administrative capital of the country. Andries Pretorius, the Voortrekker leader after whom it was named, could hardly have imagined the small Highveld town, set up in the Apies River Valley as the pride of the Boer Republic would grow more than 900 square kilometers of residential tranquillity, commercial vivacity and political authority.

Graceful, its land surveyed with care by the stalwarts of the Great Trek, the city has housed four governments, weathered controversy and cradled revolution. The residents enjoy its hilly highfield landscape and sweltering summer afternoons. They take pride in their city reflected in the many manicured lawn and gardens of clean, safe suburbs.

50km North of Johannesburg, Pretoria represents a more laidback lifestyle of urban Gauteng but still a crucial centre of embassies, sonsulates and official buildings.

Pretoria has a moderate with similar temperatures to Johannesburg but usually one or tree degrees higher. The warm pleasant climate makes it a great place to stay all year round.

Pretoria offers visitors a wide range of things to do, from malls and shopping to museums, music, restaurants, clubs and even game drives. You could visit some reserves like Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Wonderboom Nature Reserve, Rietvlei Nature Reserve, Moreletaspruit Nature Reserve and Faerie Glen Nature Reserve, museums and other places of interest like Kruger House, Pretoria Forts, Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, Freedom Park, African Window, Church Square and many more.One of the most popular attractions in Pretoria is the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa. It is an 85-hectare zoo, half of which consists of flat ground while the other half is on the slopes of a hill with the two halves separated by the Apies River. The zoo has over 5 000 species of animals and an aquarium with just under 4 000 species of fish. You can also do shopping at Brooklyn Mall, Wonderpark Shopping Centre, Parkview Centre, Atterbury Boulevard and many more. A wide range of accommodation is available in Pretoria, including guest houses, self-catering units, bed and breakfasts as well as hotels.

Midrand

Midrand has often been referred to Halfway House, largely due to its geographical positioning as its situated in between the Centurion and Kyalami areas and its considered to be one of the most centrally situated places in the entire Gauteng Province. The town was established in 1981 as a municipal area of greater Johannesburg. As the new ruling party took over in 1994 the area was amalgamated into the Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. The area is considered to be an epicenter of economic activity due to its proximity to various economic nodes near Johannesburg, Centurion and Pretoria and its proximity to key roadways and highways.

You can shopping at Grey Owl Village Shopping Centre, it is one of the most convenient places to eat out or do your grocery shop near our Midrand guest house. The Centre has a superb choice of restaurant, fast food eateries grocery shops, that covers all bases. However, it is not ideal when shopping for clothes or luxury goods.

Visit Irene Village Market near Midrand, if you are enjoying authentic craft markets, good food, browsing through countless unique design crafts, spending your Saturday with good people in a fair-like atmosphere and take out the kids for a great adventure at the same time, then the perfect place for you is the Irene Village Market at the Big Red Barn.

Visit the Rietvlei Dam Municipal Nature Reserve, it is probably the best game adventure near Midrand. It is conveniently located about 30 minutes drive away from our Midrand guest house. The park offers several different activities to its visitors, including game drives, bird watching, freshwater fishing, hiking trails and even picnic sites.
During a game drive you can expect to see cheetahs, servals, jackals, buffalos, hippos, various antelopes and boks, and countless bird species.

Visit the Nelson Mandela Square, it is an iconic shopping centre situated in the heart of Sandton. It not only holds the remarkable six meter high statue of Nelson Mandela, but also accommodates an array of well-known shops and restaurant for your pleasure. If you are visiting South Africa for the first time, the Mandela Square should be right on the top of your to-do-list.

Some of the more popular shopping facilities in the Midrand area include Boulders Shopping Centre, Carlswald Lifestyle Shopping Centre, Kyalami on Main, San Ridge Square and Midrand City. Midrand is popular for both independent and chain store restaurants which include RocoMamas, Fusionista, Windmill on Main, Adega, Ristorante La Trinita and Ottoman Palace Turkish Restaurant.

Soweto

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. The name Soweto is an acronym, made up - in apartheid days - from the first letters of the words “south western township”.
Soweto is 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. Other attractive sights are residences of famous anti-apartheid activists. Just a few kilometres drive from Diepkloof, you arrive at Orlando, the first township of Soweto. Here, you can visit Nelson Mandela's first house (left) which is a popular tourist attraction. Mandela stayed here before he was imprisoned in 1961. Security guards will not let you in, but you can see the modest house clearly enough from the street. You can also have a glimpse of the mansion belonging to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in an affluent part of Orlando West. Archbishop Desmond Tutu's house, the Sisulu residence and the Hector Pieterson memorial museum are in the same neighbourhood. The recently renovated museum offers a detailed account of the events of 1976, including visuals and eye-witness accounts.

There are a number of things to do in Soweto for visiting tourists, including the Nelson Mandela National Museum, the Hector Pieterson Museum and the Regina Mundi church as well as a number of other Apartheid struggle memorials.

Some of the most popular attractions include a number of day tours which are available to take visitors through Soweto allowing them to experience the unique and rich culture which has developed in the township. In addition to this is the bungee jumping that is open daily from the top of the Orlando Towers, two cooling towers of a decommissioned coal fired power station which are a prominent feature on the Soweto skyline. Visitors can bungee jump from a bridge which spans the gap of the two cooling towers or just enjoy the beautiful view of Soweto from the top of the 100m tall structures. Although most tours in the area are day tours, accommodation is available in the area for those looking to stay the night in Soweto, including guest houses, bed and breakfasts and self-catering units.

Kliptown is a Johannesburg must-visit, as it is the site where 3000 people came together in 1955 to write The Freedom Charter, a statement of core values that served as the foundation for South Africa’s liberal constitution. The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication is also found here, which is filled with shops, galleries and traders of all sorts. The Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial officially opened in 2002, near the spot where Hector Pieterson, a young Soweto boy, was shot on June 16, 1976 during the Soweto Uprising. Over 500 youths were killed on this day, now known as Youth Day in South Africa, and the iconic image of Hector Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student has been recognised the world over. Soweto is filled with the best spots to get a taste of true South African cuisine. The uBuntu Kraal and Soweto Brewing Company breweries are best for tasting local beers, while Vuyos is a lively restaurant set in the heart of Soweto. Try the slow-cooked and crispy Mogodu (tripe) and finish the meal with a traditional malva pudding. Wander down Vilakazi Street Vilakazi Street is the most renowned street in the township. Former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived here, making it the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Prize winners. Wander the street and spot public art, memorials and, of course, visit Nelson Mandela House. Take a peek inside the Rosa Parks Library Rosa Parks is known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’. In 1955, in Alabama, USA, she was expected to give up her seat to a white person, which she refused to do. Her arrest resulted in the Bus Boycott, which lasted for 13 months. Given the racial turmoil in South Africa, her actions were celebrated by the oppressed. Today, a library stands in her honour. Be entertained at the Soweto Theatre The Soweto Theatre hosts a wide range of productions, from Soweto Fashion Week to musical performances and works by famous playwrights like Athol Fugard. Boasting three performance venues and striking architecture, the theatre is recognised as an iconic South African building. Go on a bicycle tour See Soweto on two wheels by booking a bicycle tour with Soweto Backpackers. A local guide shares knowledge of important sites for either a half or full day. During the tour you’ll get a glimpse into life in Soweto, meet some of the locals, have a drink at a shebeen and stop for a bite to eat at some of the less-visited spots in town. Bungee-jump from Orlando Towers Orlando Towers consists of two massive cooling towers, known for their brightly drawn exteriors that are seen from miles away. Adrenaline junkies visiting Soweto can take the opportunity to bungee-jump or free-fall from the silos. Check out the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village Credo Mutwa was a traditional healer and Zulu artist, and the museum-slash-exhibition space displays his sculptures created between 1974 and 1986. Mutwa’s artworks comment on African traditions and how they are juxtaposed with Western civilisation. Step inside the Regina Mundi Church The largest Roman Catholic Church in the country, Regina Mundi, is found in Soweto. The church was completed in 1962 and was a shelter for anti-Apartheid groups and activists.

Randfontein

Randfontein is situated 45km west from Johannesburg in Gauteng in South Africa. In 1889 the mining financier JB Robinson bought the farm Randfontein and he started the Randfontein Estates Gold Mining Company. From 1890 a town began to establish itself around the mine. The town was established in 1890 to serve the new mine. Randfontein was administered by Krugersdorp until it became a municipality in 1929. Much has changed since the early days and Randfontein now serves as an industrial and residential area for many workers who live in the area and travel to surrounding areas daily for work, especially Johannesburg. Other industries in Randfontein include engineering, food processing, and textile manufacture.

Visit the Bird Sanctuary, home to a perennial pan that provides a stopover for thousands of migratory birds and a permanent home for some 120 other species. Visit the WWII Memorial, The World War II Memorial honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. Visit the Goldfields West Golf Course, the Randfontein Golf & Country Club, Oori Nature Reserve, Fat Olive Organic Craft Market, Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum. The small town offers a number of guest houses and lodges for visitors in the area as well as pubs and restaurants.

Kempton Park

Kempton Park is situated on the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa, next to Thembisa, one of the largest townships in South Africa, north-east of Johannesburg and South of Pretoria. It is home to Africa’s busiest airport, O.R Thambo International airport.

The city was founded in 1903 by Karl Wolff who named it Kempten after the town in Bavaria, Germany in which he was born. It was the site of a dynamite factory which provided explosives for the mining industry which was gripped by gold fever after the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand. The name became Kempton Park in an anglicesed form and today the town is a superbly located industrial centre.

Today Kempton Park’s economy largely centres around the airport and a number of airline have their head offices in the city. There are also a large number of aviation related companies that operate in the area.

Emperors Palace is a casino, theatre and general entertainment resort that is situated in Kempton Park. The resort offers a whole range of things to do in Kempton park and the hotel is a popular destination for visitors of the resort. Several activities in Kempton Park will ensure that no one will get bored: Bonaero Park Shopping Centre, Kempton Park Golf Course, Theatre of Marcellus, Octavia's Sensorium Day Spa, RallyStar Track Racing, Erikson Diamond Centre. Thanks to the airport, Kempton Park has a good range of accommodation and places to stay, ranging from bed and breakfasts to hotels.

Meyerton

Meyerton is a small town that lies just north of Vereeniging in Gauteng in South Africa. In 1891, JP Meyer, field-cornet and member of the Transvaal Volksraad, gave his name to this small town lying 15km north of Vereeniging on the farm Rietfontein. Meyerton acquired municipal status in1961. Meyerton has a number of interesting attractions including the Meyerton Raceway, a race track for on-road and off-road scale remote control cars. Meyerton also has an 18-hole golf course.
Meyerton is known for its River Bend Crafts - a cosy tea garden which flanks the old-style gallery of pottery, waxed flowers, clothes, glass, painted cushions and a selection of paintings. 'Art Investments' is an exclusive art gallery in Meyerton which deals with evaluation and art investments.

A variety of activities is available in Meyerton for visitors: Emerald Casino Resort, Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Bass Lake Adventures 4x4 Trails, The Barnyard Theatre. Accommodation is available in quiet town of Meyerton for those visiting the golf course and the nearby Vaal dam and river.