Gauteng - South Africa

This directory provides information on the province of Gauteng and its associated cities and towns. Gauteng is one of South Africa’s major provinces and contains the country’s largest city, Johannesburg. It is also one of the smallest provinces in SA but is highly urbanised and is the most densely inhabited province in South Africa. Gauteng is the only landlocked province in the country without a foreign border.

The name Gauteng is derived from the Sotho word “gauta” meaning “gold” in reference to the thriving gold industry in the province, following the 1886 discovery of gold in Johannesburg. After the discovery of gold in 1886, the region became the single largest gold producer in the world and was when the city of Johannesburg was founded. Gauteng is divided in the south by the Vaal River which separates it from the Free State. It also borders with the North West, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Mostly dominated by gleaming skyscrapers in the cities which is in sharp contrast to the African herbal shops, stalls and Indian bazaars with streets lined with fruit sellers and vendors. Gauteng is an eclectic mix of unique styles and tastes, in a sensual blend of ethnic and western. This blend is even more significant in the theatres and open-air arenas dotted throughout the cities.

The country’s administrative capital Pretoria, known as Jacaranda City, is situated within Gauteng as well as other large industrial areas such as Midrand and Vanderbijlpark. Gauteng is one of the most important educational and health centres in the county with Pretoria boasting the largest residential university in South Africa, the University of Pretoria. Most of the country’s research and development takes place in Gauteng, such as the Agricultural Research Council and the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute.

Most of the Gauteng province is on the Highveld, a high-altitude dry grassland area where thunderstorms are common and seasonal changes fairly stable. The Magaliesburg Mountains provide the perfect getaway for the stressed “gautengers” – a fantastic mix of open spaces, game reserves and forests.
Businesses in Gauteng

As the economic hub of South Africa Gauteng has many large companies basing their headquarters here. Overseas companies are known to use Gauteng as their commercial base and as a gateway into Africa.

Gauteng is home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange which is the largest stock exchange in Africa, as well as the Porsche centre, the largest in the world.
Nature in Gauteng

Although mostly a concrete jungle, Gauteng is home to many nature reserves and open gardens with Johannesburg having the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

Some of the Gardens and Reserves in Gauteng are :

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Johannesburg Botanical Garden
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Abe Bailey Nature Reserve
Alice Glockner Nature Reserve
Marievale Bird Sanctuary
Roodeplaat Nature Reserve
Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Kromdraai Conservancy
Krugersdorp Nature Reserve
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
Wonderboom Nature Reserve

What to see and do in Gauteng

Gauteng has a plethora of activities and attractions meshed into a space of complete diversity. The most famous attraction for the province must be the Cradle of Humankind UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave at Kromdraai. The Maropeng Visitor’s Centre gives visitors an insight into the origins of mankind while the Sterkfontein Caves provide an enlightening experience. The history of Gauteng is deeply immersed in its prehistoric past with archaeological evidence discovered at the caves dating back 3 million years.







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