Gauteng's main citiy is Johannesburg also nickname Egoli (place of gold). it is the capital of the
province is a city of contrasts and the largest city in southern Africa.
Some 50 km north of Johannesburg lies Pretoria, the country's
handsome, tree-lined capital and a metropolis that, visually, has few peers when
its lovely, lilac-coloured jacarandas bloom in springtime. There isn't in fact
much open space between the two places: the intervening, rather bleak veld is
rapidly being covered by the brand-new city of Midrand. On the other, southern
side of Johannesburg, close to the lazily flowing waters of the Vaal River, is a
scatter of smokestack towns, prominent among them Evaton, Vereeniging and
Vanderbijlpark. Approximately 85 percent of Gueteng's population of 7 million is
urbanized.
The province blends cultures and colours and first- and third-world
traditions into a spirited mix that is flavoured by many foreign influences.
Gauteng's primary attraction is business opportunity, but there is more to
this province. There is a wealth of culture to be mined in the museums,
galleries, art routes and battlefields.
Mine dumps and headgear stand proudly 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.
The busy streets ring out with the call of fruit sellers and street vendors.
An exciting blend of ethnic and Western art and cultural activities is reflected
in theatres and open-air arenas throughout the city.
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. Soweto is estimated to be inhabited by over two
million people with homes ranging from extravagant mansions to makeshift shacks.
Soweto is a city of enterprise and cultural interaction. It is a popular tourist
destination with sites such as Kliptown where the Freedom Charter was drawn up,
the home of former President Nelson Mandela, the Hector Petersen Memorial site,
restaurants and shopping malls. It boasts one of the largest hospitals on the
continent and the only African-owned private clinic.
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