It’s that time of the year where thousands of tourists are to flock in the golden province, Gauteng, to explore its natural wonders, unique beauty, and adventurous activities. Leisure tourists look for a holiday that will offer experience of a home away from home and Gauteng guarantees just that, leaving tourists with incredible stories to tell. There is little doubt that to capture the wide variety of fascinating cultures and local traditions, the country’s natural wonders, the rhythm and soul of Africa, regal wild life, and an unforgettable journey of the ancient and recent past, this is the place to be. Many films have been made, books written, and stories told about South Africa’s oppressive past, but nothing captures those dark years better than the Apartheid Museum, located in Johannesburg. The museum exhibits unedified and uncensored audio-visual material and photographs documenting some of the most harrowing episodes in South Africa’s history. The Apartheid Museum takes visitors on an emotion-filled journey through those times. Film footage, photographs, text panels, and artefacts in 22 individual exhibition areas bear witness to oppression. The exhibits include visuals of daily life in South Africa’s townships, under the watchful eye of security police in armoured Casspir vehicles, as well as of forced removals and innocent people being mauled by police dogs. To the race-goers, the Turffontein Race Course, situated in the Southern suburbs of Johannesburg, is the place to be. From elevated glass-fronted rooms there is a spectacular view of the track and Johannesburg’s iconic skyline.
You can experience a breath-taking view of Johannesburg on the second highest point in the city, Northcliff Hill.
As if that is not enough, Gauteng still has more and more adventurous places to unwind. • The Vaal Dam is a popular venue for water sport, with numerous resorts lining the shore.
• The Sterkfontein caves near Krugersdorp are the site of the discovery of the skull of the famous Mrs. Ples, an estimated 2.5 million-year-old hominid fossil, and of little Foot, an almost complete hominid skeleton of more than 3.3 million years old.
• The Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens has a 70m high waterfall, stunning indigenous plant displays, and a rare breeding pair of black eagles.
• There is a ring of hills a kilometre in diameter and 100m high just 40km North of Pretoria. These hills are the walls of the Tshwane Meteorite Crater, left by an asteroid 200 000 years ago.
• The National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria is an incredible environment to experience.
• The Union Building in Pretoria was the venue of the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela. You can experience a breath-taking view of Johannesburg on the second highest point in the city, Northcliff Hill. The Central Business District can be seen on one side and the Northern suburbs on the other. In daylight, the sky is expansive and the suburbs sprawl below, but at night twinkling lights are blanketed by the night sky, and reveal a magical scenario. The hill is a popular spot for sundowners and you can park your car close by and take a picnic blanket and hamper to a place where you can soak up the view. Dusk is the best time, as the traffic below slows down and the city breathes out a collective sigh that the working day is done. Set on Northcliff Ridge, the suburb of North cliff is an affluent one. Residents are attracted by the great views that the ridge affords. Fairland’s, Blackheath, and Berario are neighbouring suburbs. If you’re a bit of an adrenalin junkie and you think that the sensation of being airborne would be a thrill, then extreme air sports may be the thing for you. Gauteng has some beautiful sites that can be viewed from up above, so why not include this activity in your agenda? It will certainly be a talking point and probably a highlight of your visit, in the real sense of the word. More and more Gauteng destinations now promote responsible tourism, with unique experiences that are carbon-friendly and make a positive contribution to the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. Eco-certified hotels and organic restaurants and markets are making inroads into the green tourism industry, while enjoyable experiences such as walking and cycle tours offer the tourist a more meaningful connection with Gauteng and its residents. The variety and diverse options of established and unique activities available within South Africa’s Gauteng Province is suited to many leisure destination requests compared to the rest of the world. The Gautrain is operational between major routes and is definitely an option for commuting between OR Tambo Airport and Sandton and Pretoria, state of the art operation in Africa. To prepare for weather conditions during your stay in the province, check out the weather forecast for December in Gauteng at www.weathersa.co.za
– By Clement Manyathela
