Gauteng is where the creative spirit of a nation converges in a dense, cultural heartland. It is the intersection of African and global trade – incorporating Johannesburg, Pretoria and Soweto. Gauteng is a cosmopolitan, multicultural mix of people from all walks of life, from all corners of the world.

Overview
Where else on earth can you find a mini-Big Apple existing alongside the remains of the first hominids? Gauteng has a legacy of larger-than-life heroes and villains, ancient civilisations, as well as turbulent political history.

Johannesburg - also called ‘Joburg’ - dates back to 1886 when the main Witwatersrand gold-bearing reef was discovered. Almost immediately, the Transvaal (as it was known then) was swamped by diggers from near and far.

Population
Gauteng is the most densely populated province in South Africa. It houses more than seven million of the country's people. Being the transport hub of the continent, the mix of people here is quite staggering, as is the level of integration amongst races. About 70% of Gauteng’s population is African; 23% white; 4% coloured (mixed race) and 2% Indian/Asian.

Climate
The Highveld is said to offer one of the world’s best climates: summer days are warm and wind-free (relatively) and winter days are crisp and clear. Gauteng’s summer-rainfall area has hot summers and mild winters with frost. Hail is common during the summer thunderstorms. Snowfalls rarely occur.

Getting to Know Gauteng

Johannesburg
Johannesburg, also nicknamed Egoli (place of gold), is the capital of the province. Here, mine dumps stand firmly as symbols of its rich past, while modern architecture rubs shoulders with examples of 19th century engineering prowess. Gleaming skyscrapers contrast with Indian bazaars and African 'muti' (medicine) shops, where traditional healers dispense advice and traditional medicine.

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’.

Pretoria/Tshwane
Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, which resides within the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality - a cluster of metropolitan municipalities and councils that amalgamated in December 2002.

As administrative capital of the Republic, Pretoria is dominated by government services and the diplomatic corps of foreign representatives in South Africa.

Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly beautiful in spring when the 50 000 jacarandas envelop the avenues in mauve. Pretoria has more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

Dining
Gauteng’s restaurants offer everything from the most mundane franchise burger joint, to elaborate and exotic themes reserved for the well-heeled. From Africa, local traditions are up against the best from our neighbours in Mozambique and even as far afield as Morocco. Asia is represented in a choice of Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Thai and even Vietnamese restaurants. The traditions of Europe and the Middle East have also filtered through in innumerable gastronomic offerings.

Music
Gauteng is a melting pot of music and entertainment. It is a place where cultures converge and continents collide. Jazz bars and live music hangouts offer some of the best local music on the continent.

Shopping
Gauteng offers some of the best shopping this side of the equator. From world-class sprawling malls, to outdoor flea markets, country stalls and even muti markets – this part of the world is a shopping Mecca for every taste.

Heritage
The many monuments, such as the Hector Petersen Memorial (Soweto) and the Women's Memorial (Pretoria), are some of the historic testimonies to the bravery of our heroes. The Sharpeville Memorial - a reminder of where protestors were killed, the Hector Petersen Memorial - a tribute to the youth of Soweto who died in the 1976 uprising, and many others stand as testament to the sons and daughters of Gauteng.

Sport and Events
Gauteng is the indisputable sporting epi-centre of South Africa. The province hosted the South African Formula One Grand Prix in 1993, Rugby World Cup Final in 1995, and the All Africa Games in 1998. We also hosted the Cricket World Cup in 2003 – with superb feedback from around the globe. Look out for the Soccer World Cup in 2010.

Major attractions:
The Apartheid Museum
Dedicated to South Africa’s darkest days – this incredible world-class museum documents the forced removals, political executions, the rise of Black Consciousness and the 1976 Soweto student uprisings and its triumphs.

• Newtown
  Newtown Cultural Precinct is where some of Johannesburg’s hot and happening cultural scene can be found. At the heart of Newtown sits the famous Museum Africa as well as the Market Theatre complex. Newtown is part of the inner city regeneration project and promises to be Joburg’s most popular tourist hotspot.
• The Cradle of Humankind
  Take a tour to the Cradle of Humankind, at Sterkfontein, Gauteng’s famous World Heritage Site – where caves have produced nearly half of the world’s hominid fossil discoveries. Close to the Cradle is the Kromdraai Wonder Cave, as well as the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve.
• Township Tours
  Experience Township Life up close and personal, in Soweto. Visiting the Regina Mundi Church, Sharpeville Memorial Site, Nelson Mandela’s home – and/or stay for the night at any of Soweto’s famous Bed and Breakfasts. There are also township tours offered in Alexandra as well as the keen hospitality offered by township dwellers around Tshwane.
  www.soweto.co.za