 Travel to South Africa's economic heartland. Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest province but nearly 70% of the South African population stays here. Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng and is part of the larger Witwatersrand urban area. Pretoria, the other metropolis is the administrative capital of South Africa. Benoni, Boksburg, Germiston, Krugersdorp, Soweto, Springs and Vanderbijlpark are the other main urban areas in Gauteng. English, Afrikaans and IsiZulu are the main languages spoken in Gauteng.
Gauteng can be seen as the heart of South Africa, since its mines, factories and services deliver more than 30% of South Africa’s nett national product. Although gold mining is not the main role player in the economy of Johannesburg any more it still delivers approximately 500 tons of gold annually.
It is in a summer rainfall area, where thunderstorms occur in the late afternoons from November to March. The annual rainfall of Johannesburg is 515 mm per year. Although Gauteng is quite close to the equator, the temperatures are moderate because of the high altitude above sea level. Johannesburg is 1763m above sea level and experiences sunny winter days with cool to cold temperatures during winter nights.
When traveling to South Africa's Gauteng Province the highlights to consider are the following:
• Soweto: (South Western Townships)
Hector Petersen Museum which commemorates the youths who died in the uprisings of 16 June 1976.
The house of former President Nelson Mandela before his incarceration.
• Voortrekker Monument:
Commemorates the Great Trek, spectacular views of Pretoria, Museum.
• Union Buildings:
Built in 1913 as the administrative head of the SA government, the setting of the inaugurations of Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki.
• Gold Reef City:
Reconstruction of Johannesburg during the gold-rush era. Take a trip down an old mine-shaft and see gold being poured.
• Cullinan:
Old mining town, developed around the Premier Diamond Mine where the world’s largest diamond, the Cullinan (3106 carats) was found.
• Lesedi Cultural Village:
Traditional dances and rituals to learn more about the cultural life of different tribes.
• Sterkfontein Caves:
Dolomite caves where the skull of Mrs. Ples and Little Foot (hominid fossils) were found. Declared as a World Heritage Site and is currently being developed as one of Gauteng's premier travel destinations.
• Rhino and Lion Park:
Private game reserve between Krugersdorp and Pretoria. |
