Johannesburg
Fast-paced, frenetic JOHANNESBURG has had a reputation for immorality,
greed and violence ever since its first plot auction in December 1886.
Despite its status as the largest and richest city in the country, it has
never been the seat of government or national political power, allowing it
to concentrate fully on what it has always done best: make money and get
ahead. Those priorities have, over the years, cut across political and
racial lines: only in Jo'burg would ambitious black Africans like Nelson
Mandela have been able to train in a white law firm; only in Jo'burg would
creative hotspots like Sophiatown and Alexandra exist at all; and only in
Jo'burg would white liberalism have been given any intellectual recognition
in the dark days of apartheid.
Even so, the divisions of the old South Africa are as apparent here as
anywhere else. Ridiculously opulent white mansions in leafy suburbs are
protected by high walls and razor wire, only a mile or two from sprawling
shanty towns housing millions of intensely poor blacks. As the new political
dispensation sees formerly white areas administratively yoked with the black
townships, so the city struggles to cope with massive pressures on housing,
services and law and order. Nowhere is the new tension more in evidence than
in the previously all-white central business district, where an influx of
poor blacks, and a soaring crime rate, has caused a mass exodus of shops and
restaurants to the northern suburbs.
As the centre readjusts, so the fringes expand: there will be a continuous
ribbon of development between Johannesburg and Pretoria, originally 50km
apart, within a decade. Meanwhile, the black middle class, much more evident
in Johannesburg than anywhere else in South Africa, is moving from township
to suburb, while tens of thousands of immigrants from elsewhere in Africa
flood into inner-city suburbs like Hillbrow and townships like Alexandra.
There are very few conventional tourist sights in Johannesburg, and some
visitors fall into the trap of retreating to their hotel room, too
intimidated by the city's reputation to explore, venturing out only to the
bland, safe, covered shopping malls of the northern suburbs while making
hasty plans to move on. However, once you've found a convenient way of
getting around, either by car or in the company of a tour guide, the
history, diversity and stimulating energy of the city can quickly become
compelling. Johannesburg offers fascinating museums , most notably the
Museum Africa in Newtown, as well as excellent art galleries. A number of
suburbs have a thriving café culture , which by the evening transforms to a
lively restaurant scene. There are shops with excellent contemporary African
art and design, striking buildings, and of course the townships , most
easily explored on a tour but, in some places, somewhere you can get to
under your own steam. Johannesburg is also a great place to watch sport :
Ellis Park was the scene of South Africa's emotional victory in the 1995
Rugby World Cup, the IAAF World Cup was held at the neighbouring athletics
stadium in 1999, and the massive FNB soccer stadium on the edge of Soweto,
which fills to capacity for local derbies or international fixtures, remains
the principal venue for the country's most popular sport.
Johannesburg is large, sprawling and poorly planned, with few
conventional sights and a bewildering number of districts. The central
business district (CBD) is the Manhattan of Africa with tall crowded office
blocks crowded together and lively street life. Nearby, the Newtown Cultural
Precinct is the place to head for jazz bars, theatre and the highly
informative Museum Africa. The inner-city districts of Berea and Hillbrow
are packed with migrants from all over the continent, and are generally
no-go areas for visitors. This label is now also being given to Yeoville ,
once the city's trendiest and most integrated suburb.
The city's seemingly endless northern suburbs , the preserve of white,
middle-class Johannesburg, dominate the northern half of the city. Despite
the lack of real sights, they do offer a few pleasant surprises, notably
Parktown , the original home of Johannesburg's richest residents, leafy
Melville , with its trendy street cafés and lively nightlife, and Rosebank ,
an easy-going suburb with some decent galleries and craft markets. The
archetypal northern suburb is opulent Sandton , full of brand new offices
and mind-boggling shopping malls. Strangely enough, only the highway
separates Sandton from one of Jo'burg's poorest areas, the vibrant but risky
Alexandra township. Southwest of the centre lies the city's most famous
township, Soweto , the single most popular tourist destination in
Johannesburg, with its evocative memories of the struggle against apartheid
and poor but lively neighbourhoods.
Web :
www.visitgauteng.net
KwaZulu-Natal Durban
Aptly called South Africa’s garden province, KwaZulu-Natal is one of the
country’s most popular holiday destinations. This verdant region includes
South Africa’s lush subtropical east coast. Washed by the warm Indian Ocean,
it stretches from Port Edward in the south, and northwards to the Mozambique
boundary. In addition to the magnificent coastline, the province also boasts
sweeping savanna in the east, and the majestic Drakensberg mountain range in
the west.
Visitors to KwaZulu-Natal can either disembark at Durban International
Airport, which handles more than 2,5 million passengers a year, or at Durban
harbour. Alternatively, they can make use of the extensive national road
network.
Provincial profile
Durban is one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the world. Its port is
the busiest in South Africa and is one of the 10 largest in the world.
KwaZulu-Natal is the only province with a monarchy specifically provided for
in the Constitution.
In 1999, the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared a World Heritage
site.
Separating KwaZulu-Natal from Lesotho, the Drakensberg runs 200 km along the
western boundary of the province.
Richards Bay Minerals is the largest sand-mining and mineral-processing
operation in the world.
Richards Bay is the centre of operations for South Africa’s aluminium
industry.
Some of South Africa’s best-protected indigenous coastal forests are found
along the subtropical coastline of KwaZulu-Natal such as at Dukuduku and
Kosi Bay.
KwaZulu-Natal has more than 9,9 million people living on 92 100 km2 of land
(Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006). The principal language spoken is
isiZulu, followed by English and Afrikaans. Remnants of British colonialism,
together with Zulu, Indian and Afrikaans traditions make for an interesting
cultural mix in the province.
Web :
www.durbanexprience.co.za
Mpumalanga means ‘place where the sun
rises’. Due to the province’s spectacular scenic beauty and abundance of
wildlife, it is one of South Africa’s major tourist destinations. With a
surface area of only 79 490 km2, the second-smallest province after Gauteng,
it has the fourth-largest economy in South Africa.
Bordered by Mozambique and Swaziland in the east, and Gauteng in the west,
it is situated mainly on the high plateau grasslands of the Middleveld,
which roll eastwards for hundreds of kilometres. In the north-east, it rises
towards mountain peaks and terminates in an immense escarpment. In some
places, this escarpment plunges hundreds of metres down to the low-lying
area known as the Lowveld.
The area has a network of excellent roads and railway connections, making it
highly accessible. Because of its popularity as a tourist destination,
Mpumalanga is also served by a number of small airports. The Kruger
Mpumalanga International Airport became operational in 2002.
The climate and topography vary from cool highland grasslands at 1 600 m
above sea level, through the middleveld and escarpment, to the subtropical
Lowveld towards the Kruger National Park and many private game reserves.
Scenic beauty, climate and wildlife, voted the most attractive features of
South Africa, are found in abundance in this province.
Provincial profile
The Maputo Corridor, which links the province with Gauteng and Maputo in
Mozambique, is the first international toll road in Africa.
Mpumalanga produces about 80% of the country’s coal, and remains the largest
production region for forestry and agriculture.
Lake Chrissie is the largest natural freshwater lake in South Africa and is
famous for its variety of aquatic birds, especially flamingos.
Nelspruit is the second-largest citrus-producing area in South Africa and is
responsible for one-third of the country’s export in oranges.
The country’s major power stations, three of which are the biggest in the
southern hemisphere, are situated here.
Witbank is the biggest coal producer in Africa.
The cultural heritage of the province is varied and fascinating. The Ndebele
beadwork and wall-painting in the north-west, the arts and crafts of the
Lowveld and the different traditional villages throughout the province offer
a unique insight into the people’s history
The spectacular Blyde River Canyon is the third-largest in the world.
Even though it is one of the smaller provinces, Mpumalanga has a population
of more than 3,5 million people (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006).
Nelspruit is the capital of the province and the administrative and business
centre of the Lowveld. Witbank is the centre of the local coal-mining
industry; Standerton, in the south, is renowned for its large dairy
industry; and Piet Retief in the south-east is a production area for
tropical fruit and sugar. A large sugar industry is also found at Malelane
in the east; Ermelo is the district in South Africa that produces the most
wool; Barberton is one of the oldest gold-mining towns in South Africa; and
Sabie is situated in the forestry heartland of the country.
North West
North West, also known as the ‘Platinum Province’, is centrally
located on the subcontinent with direct road and rail links to all southern
African countries, and with its own airport near the capital city, Mafikeng.
The province borders Botswana and is fringed by the Kalahari desert in the
west and the Witwatersrand area in the east.
North West is divided into the Central, Bophirima (towards the west),
Southern, Rustenburg and Eastern regions. Most economic activity is
concentrated in the Southern Region (between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp),
Rustenburg, and the Eastern Region, where more than 83,3% of GDPR of the
province is produced.
Provincial profile
North West is home to Mafikeng, site of the Anglo-Boer/South African War
siege.
It boasts the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.
North West is blessed with several cultural villages that entertain and
enrich.
A number of excellent game reserves have been established, including the
Pilanesberg National Park, known as the ‘Jewel of the North West’. It is set
in a crater on an extinct volcano and is home to the Big Five as well as a
wide variety of smaller game and birds.
The area surrounding Rustenburg and Brits boasts the largest single
platinum-production area in the world.
The Platinum Spatial Development Initiative (SDI) is situated on the
Coast-to-Coast highway that links the port of Maputo in Mozambique to Walvis
Bay in Namibia.
Some of the largest cattle herds in the world are found at Stellaland near
Vryburg, which explains why this area is often referred to as the ‘Texas of
South Africa’.
Of the 3 374 200 people living in the North West, 65% live in the rural
areas (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006).
Limpopo
Limpopo, South Africa’s northernmost province, lies within the great elbow
of the Limpopo River. It is a province of dramatic contrasts – from true
bushveld country to majestic mountains, primeval indigenous forests,
latter-day plantations, unspoilt wilderness areas and a patchwork of farming
land.
Limpopo has a strong rural basis. Its growth strategy centres on addressing
infrastructure backlogs, the alleviation of poverty, and social development.
Limpopo is the gateway to the rest of Africa. It is favourably situated for
economic co-operation with other parts of southern Africa as it shares
borders with Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
The province is linked to the Maputo Development Corridor through the
Phalaborwa SDI, which is a network of rail and road corridors connecting to
the major seaports, which will open up Limpopo for trade and investment.
This is complemented by the presence of smaller airports in centres such as
Phalaborwa and Musina, as well as the Gateway International Airport in
Polokwane. The airport carries about 38 000 passengers a year.
The Maputo Corridor will link the province directly with the Port of Maputo,
creating development and trade opportunities, particularly in the
south-eastern part of the province.
Provincial profile
Steeped in history, Limpopo celebrates a rich cultural heritage, and at many
archaeological sites the mysteries of the past and ancient peoples are still
being unearthed.
Much of the land, particularly in the Kruger National Park and other game
and nature reserves is unspoilt, providing sanctuary to large numbers of
game.
The province’s natural resources include more than 50 provincial reserves,
as well as several private game reserves. The largest section of the Kruger
National Park is situated along the eastern boundary of Limpopo with
Mozambique.
Mapungubwe (Place of The Jackal) Hill, some 75 km from Musina, used to be a
natural fortress for its inhabitants from about AD 950 to 1200. It was
declared a world heritage site in 2003.
Extensive tea and coffee plantations create many employment opportunities in
the Tzaneen area.
The largest tomato farm in South Africa lies between Tzaneen and Makhado.
Extensive forestry plantations are also found here.
About 60% of South Africa’s tomatoes, 33% of its oranges and 70% of its
mangoes come from Limpopo.
In Limpopo, more than 5,3 million people live on about 123 910 km2 of land
(Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006).
Polokwane is the capital city and lies strategically in the centre of the
province.The Great North Road running through the centre of the province
strings together a series of interesting towns. Bela-Bela, with its popular
mineral spa, is near the southern border of the province.
Further north lie Modimolle, with its table-grape industry and beautiful
Waterberg mountain range; Mokopane; Polokwane; Makhado at the foot of the
Soutpansberg mountain range; and Musina, with its thick-set baobab trees.
The crossing into Zimbabwe is at Beit Bridge, where the South African
section of this important route north into Africa ends.
Other important Limpopo towns include the major mining centres of Phalaborwa
and Thabazimbi; and Tzaneen, producer of tea, forestry products and tropical
fruits.
This province is in the savannah biome, an area of mixed grassland and
trees, which is generally known as bushveld. A trip through this
summer-rainfall area soon shows that this is tree country.
Free State
The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa with the Kingdom of Lesotho
nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River in the
north and the Orange River in the south, this immense rolling prairie
stretches as far as the eye can see. This central region is characterised by
endless rolling prairies of wheat, sunflower and maize fields, and forms the
principal bread basket of South Africa.
The capital, Bloemfontein, has a well-established institutional, educational
and administrative infrastructure, and houses the Supreme Court of Appeal.
The city, also referred to as the City of Roses, is home to some of the
province’s many tertiary educational institutions, including the University
of the Free State and the Central University of Technology.
Province profile
Some of South Africa’s most valued San rock art is found in the Free State.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park is the province’s prime tourist
attraction.
Known as the ‘Granary of the Country’, the Free State has cultivated land
covering 3,2 million ha.
The mining industry is the major employer in the Free State.
Roughly 30% of South Africa’s gold is obtained from this region, and the
province qualifies for fifth position as a global producer.
The Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa National Park is a popular
tourist destination.
An important manufacturing industry in the province can be found in the
northern Free State, which is one of the most important chemical hubs in the
southern hemisphere.
It has the deepest wine cellar in the world.
It boats the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.
The Free State houses more than 2,9 million people on about 129 480 km2 of
land (Mid-Year Population Estimates, 2006). The main languages spoken are
Sesotho and Afrikaans.
Important towns include Welkom, the heart of the goldfields and one of the
few completely pre-planned cities in the world; Odendaalsrus, another
gold-mining town; Sasolburg, which owes its existence to the
petrol-from-coal installation established there; Kroonstad, an important
agricultural, administrative and educational centre; Parys, on the banks of
the Vaal River; Phuthaditjhaba, well-known for the beautiful handcrafted
items produced by the local people; and Bethlehem, gateway to the Eastern
Highlands of the Free State.
This summer-rainfall region can be extremely cold during the winter months,
especially towards the eastern mountainous regions. The western and southern
areas are semi-desert.
The National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre in Bloemfontein
has a repository of works by prominent Afrikaans authors. Exhibits in the
Afrikaans Music Museum and the Theatre Museum (part of the centre) include
old musical instruments, sheet music, costumes, photographs and furniture.
The national museum is notable for its wide collection of fossils,
cultural-historical exhibits and archaeological displays, including the
Florisbad skull, which was discovered in the 1930s at the Florisbad Spring,
about 50 km north of Bloemfontein.
The National Women’s Memorial is a sandstone obelisk, 36,5 m high, which
commemorates the women and children who died in concentration camps during
the Anglo-Boer/South African War from 1899 to 1902. The research library
contains an extensive collection of Africana.
Bloemfontein has a busy cultural and social-events calendar. One of the
annual events not to be missed is the Mangaung African Cultural Festival,
popularly known as the Macufe Arts Festival, in September.
Botshabelo (Place of Refuge), 45 km from Bloemfontein on the N8 road to
Lesotho, is believed to be the largest township settlement in the Free State
– and the second-largest in South Africa after Soweto.
Nearby, the town of Thaba Nchu features luxury hotels and a casino, with the
Maria Moroka Nature Reserve surrounding Thaba Nchu Sun and the Setlogelo
Dam.
Xhariep
The Gariep Dam, more than 100 km long and 15 km wide, is part of the Orange
River Water Scheme, the largest inland expanse of water in South Africa.
Situated between the dam and Bethulie lies the Gariep Dam Nature Reserve.
Philippolis, the oldest town in the Free State, was founded as a London
Missionary Society station in 1824. It was the first mission station in the
province.
Thabo Mofutsanyana
With its beautiful snow-capped mountains providing a backdrop to numerous
romantic hide-aways, this untouched, pristine area with its breathtaking
scenery possesses grandeur of majestic proportion.
The Basotho Cultural Village in the QwaQwa Nature Reserve is a living museum
where visitors can witness the Sotho traditions and lifestyle in the chief’s
kraal.
Clarens is often described as the ‘Jewel of the Free State’, owing to its
spectacular scenery. San paintings are found on farms in the area. Close by,
the Highlands Route meanders along the foothills of the Maluti mountains.
One can also explore the magnificent mountain scenery by bike. The town
offers art excursions and painting getaways and has 14 art galleries.
The Golden Gate Highlands National Park, known for its beautiful scenery, is
a very popular holiday destination. A vulture restaurant enables visitors to
observe these scavengers closely. San paintings can also be viewed.
The Highlands Route follows the Lesotho border via Ladybrand and ends at
Zastron in the south. San caves and rock art are some of the main features
of the route. The birdwatching mecca of Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve near
Memel constitutes a wetland with Ramsar status, and is surrounded by private
game and holiday farms.
Lejweleputswa region
Van Reenen’s Pass winds through the Drakensberg, and was originally used by
migrating herds of zebra, hartebeest, blesbok and wildebeest. The Llandaff
Oratory in the nearby village of Van Reenen is believed to be the smallest
Roman Catholic Church in the world.
At Harrismith, there are various memorials in honour of those who fought in
the Anglo-Boer/South African War and World War I. Of particular interest is
a memorial for the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards.
The QwaQwa district is a traditional home to the Basotho people. Karakul
carpets, mohair, wall hangings, copper, glassware and brass are made and
sold at Phuthaditjhaba. The Metsi Matsho and Fika Patso dams are renowned
for trout fishing.
Welkom is known for its gold mines. It is also the only city in the country
where traffic circles are used instead of traffic lights.
The world’s deepest wine cellar is at the St Helena Mine which is 857 m
below the Earth’s surface.
Bothaville is regarded as the centre of the Free State Maize Route. The
Nampo Harvest Farm and Festival attracts more than 20 000 visitors each year
and is the second-largest private agricultural show in the world. Bothaville
also hosts the annual Food and Witblits Festival, drawing visitors from all
over South Africa.
The Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site was caused by the collision of a
meteorite with the Earth many years ago. It features unique fauna and flora,
including 100 different plant species, more than 300 types of birds and a
variety of small mammals. Various hiking and mountain-bike trails are also
on offer.
Contact details
Free State Provincial Government Private Bag 20538, Bloemfontein, 9300
Lebohang Building, 4th Floor, cnr St Andrews and Markgraaf streets,
Bloemfontein
Tel: (051) 405 5799Fax: (051) 405 4803
Website:
http://www.fs.gov.za/
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is one of South Africa’s important sea ports. The city, the
largest in the Eastern Cape, lies on the south-eastern coastline of South
Africa. It is known for its sunshine, temperate climate, exhilarating sea
breezes and magnificent golden beaches.
The city forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality – which unites,
Uitenhage and Despatch – and is named after South Africa's former President,
humanitarian and world icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, who was born and
spent his formative years in the Eastern Cape.
About 1.5 million people inhabit Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality area,
making it South Africa's fifth largest city in population size and the
second largest in area.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s economy is based primarily on the
automotive industry with General Motors, Volkswagen, Ford and others
operating from this area. Port Elizabeth is also the closest city to the
Coega Industrial Development Zone.
Event experience
Port Elizabeth has excellent and varied sporting facilities. Its many active
sports clubs cater for bowling, golf, tennis, badminton, squash, volleyball,
pool, darts, athletics, cycling as well as seasonal sports such as soccer,
rugby, hockey, roller hockey, cricket, motor racing and more.
Among the major events the city has hosted are:
the 1996 African Cup of Nations
four matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup
international test cricket and one-day matches
the semi-finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
In 2004, Nelson Mandela Bay hosted the inaugural Ironman South Africa
Triathlon championship and was awarded the enviable status of host city
until 2008.
Other major events on the Nelson Mandela Bay calendar include the Splash
Festival, which is the second largest beach and water sports festival in the
southern hemisphere and attracts some 300 000 participants annually.
Polokwane
Polokwane, previously known as Pietersburg, is the capital city of Limpopo
province. It is the largest city in the north and a major economic centre.
Wide streets, Jacaranda trees, colourful parks and sparkling fountains
characterise the city.
Polokwane falls under the Polokwane Municipality. The municipality's area
accounts for 3% of Limpopo province's total surface area and about 10% of
the Limpopo's population resides here.
Polokwane, which means “a place of safety'”, is situated 60 km south of the
Tropic of Capricorn and is home to just over 500 000 people. It encompasses
the vibrant communities of Seshego, Mankweng and other surrounding
townships.
Event experience
Polokwane frequently hosts top international athletes at its world-class
facilities. Polokwane has played host to the Council of Southern Africa
Football Associations Cup semi-final match between South Africa's national
team Bafana Bafana and Swaziland.
The city has also hosted a Group D qualifying game for the Africa Cup of
Nations (scheduled for Tunisia in 2004) between Bafana Bafana and Ivory
Coast. Both matches were played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The city has also hosted the:
World Shooting Championships
South Africa National Indigenous Games
Engen International Athletic Series from 2002 to 2004
Absa National Athletics Series.
Contact details
To find out more contact:
Polokwane Municipality PO Box 111,
Polokwane 0700 Tel: +27 15 290-2000
http://www.polokwane.org.za/
http://www.golimpopo.com/
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa, the provincial capital
of the Free State and the largest urban centre in the Mangaung Local
Municipality.
Bloemfontein is popularly known as "the city of roses", owing to the
abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there.
Mangaung Local Municipality – which comprises the areas Bloemfontein,
Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu – covers more than 6 300 km2 and hosts a
population of more than 850 000 people (about 23% of the Free State's
population). The name Mangaung means “place of the cheetahs”.
Event experience
Bloemfontein has established itself as a major event-hosting destination.
World-class sporting facilities and developed infrastructure exist, and
there are numerous training facilities. Among the major events hosted are
the:
1995 Rugby World Cup
1996 African Cup of Nations
1999, 2000 and 2001 International Super Bike Grand Prix
2003 Cricket World Cup
numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and power
boating events
To find out more contact
Mangaung Municipality PO Box 3704,
Bloemfontein, 9300 Tel: +27 51 405-8101
Fax: +27 51 405-8108
http://www.mangaung.co.za/
SEE also PRETORIA, Cape Town,
Kysna here...
For maps of the cities, check:
www.brabysmaps.co.za/brabys/
www.easymaps.co.za
