Gauteng: Southern Gauteng
Overview
Southern Gauteng is currently one of the most important industrial manufacturing
areas in South Africa, with its chief products being iron, steel, pipes, bricks,
tiles and processed lime. Several coal mines are also still
situated in the area,
with reserves being estimated at 4 billion tons. Other mines in the area extract
fire-clay, silica and building stone. The area also has many naturally beautiful
hills and riges, and the Vaal Dam.
Things to do and see
The Loch Vaal reservoir (Vaal
Dam) was built in 1922 and provides Gauteng with over a billion
litres of water every day supporting 12 million consumers in Gauteng and surrounding areas. Water skiing, fishing, canoeing, and other such water
sports make the Vaal Dam a popular local and international tourist destination.
To the South East of Gauteng is the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve. Suikerbosrand
is an area of unspoilt highveld that covers some 13000 hectares. It is home to a
wide variety of wildlife and includes 65 kilometres of roads. There are more than
80 kilometres of hiking trails that are all well marked and the visitors’ centre
includes an auditorium where regular talks and seminars are held.
Visitors to Southern Gauteng should also consider taking in the Vaal Meander.
This was started some 20 years ago with the idea of promoting Artists and Crafters
of the Southern Gauteng region
And finally, if you're still looking for more, there
is always the casino in Vanderbijlpark.
Climate
Southern Gauteng has a wonderfully
mild climate of summer rainfall, winter sunshine and warm day time temperatures
for the whole year. It is often a few degrees
warmer than Johannesburg during the summer, and a degree or two colder during the
winter.
Accomodation
The Southern Gauteng area boasts many venues for conferences, team building, weddings,
game viewing, hiking and birding, restaurants, water activities (including boating
and fishing). Many Hotels, Bed and Breafasts, Guest Houses provide wonderful places to stay while visiting the area. For the more adventurous there small Game Parks,
and numerous Camping and Caravaning venues to enjoy.
Towns
Vereeniging, Henley-On-Clip, Vanderbijlpark