13/08/2014
Gauteng’s East Rand has not always had top billing. For most who visit Gauteng, it pales by comparison with the hectic pace, glitz, glamour and nightlife of Jozi.
But the little towns of Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Edenvale, Germiston, Springs, Kempton Park and Nigel are collectively known as Ekurhuleni Metropolitan. The Ekurhuleni’s borders encompass the vibrant townships of Daveyton, Katlehong, Vosloorus and Wattville (to name but a few), and the former East Rand has reclad itself as a tourist-friendly escape from the rat race, with more than a few hidden gems up its sleeve.
Visit the Thokoza Memorial wall, Khumalo Street in Thokoza to honour thousands of the victims who died during the struggle. Alberton’s Meyersdal Koppie Nature Reserve is home to Late Iron-Age stone wall settlements, whilst Boksburg boasts numerous beautiful old heritage sites – the old law courts, the post office, St Michael and All Angels Anglican church, designed by Sir Herbert Baker.
Benoni, East Rand, Gauteng
Benoni, East Rand
Benoni, known as the ‘city of lakes’ encourages picnics at no fewer than five lake sides, whilst the Rietvlei Zoo and Nature Reserve, just outside Alberton, and the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary - a rare wetland area with amazing bird hides and access to antelope, ostrich and zebra - both make wonderful day trips.
There is a popular flea market held every weekend in the gardens of Edenvale’s first farmhouse – Horwood’s Farm; Wild Waters at Bokkie Park in Boksburg also has a farmyard area in which children can practice milking cows; whilst the Le Grange Bird Park and Boksburg Lake are wonderful places for Sunday picnics. Residents of Daveyton, Katlehong, Tembisa and other townships in Ekurhuleni encourage visitors to walk their streets, and join them for a beer at a shebeen.
EAST RAND
Destinations / Suburbs of East Rand
Alberton
Alberton is a town on the East Rand of the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Alberton is known as a typical bedroom community, meaning that is it a community primarily residential in character........
Bedfordview
Other than Edenvale, the garden suburb of Bedfordview is one of the closest suburbs of Johannesburg to the OR Tambo Airport, so for business people dipping into the city only briefly, Bedfordview is an ideal location.
Benoni
Benoni is a large suburb situated on the East Rand in the South African province of Gauteng. The area forms part of the Greater Johannesburg region, and since 2000 has been part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan .
Boksburg
Boksburg is a suburb situated on the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa. Originally, Boksburg was laid out in 1887 to serve the surrounding gold mines, and named after the State Secretary of the South African Republic,
Brakpan
Brakpan, the town, emerged largely due to the gold and uranium mining that continues today, even if the mines now give a fairly low yield and are fairly costly to maintain. Its rather gutteral name is derived from a non-perennial lake .
Edenvale
Edenvale is a suburb situated in the East Rand area in Gauteng, South Africa. Edenvale started out in 1903 as a small settlement named Rietfontein which sprung up around the Rietfontein Gold Mine.
Germiston
Germiston is situated in the East Rand area of Gauteng. Germiston is South Africa's sixth largest city with 70% of the western world's gold passing through its gold refinery. Germiston also boasts South Africa's ..
Isando
Just a little more than 20 kilometres east of Johannesburg is the relatively small area of Isando. Over time, it has become more of an industrial township that plays an integral role in the industrial and commercial ...
Johannesburg Airport
Formerly known as Johannesburg International Airport, the OR Tambo International Airport is a large airport near the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The Airport serves as the primary airport for domestic ......
Kempton Park
Kempton Park is a large town situated on the East Rand in Gauteng, South Africa. Kempton Park was established in 1903 when Karl Wolff sub-divided a portion of his Zuurfontein farm into residential stands .
Linksfield
Where to Stay: Edenvale
Linksfield is an elegant town that exudes an air of upmarket appeal. The homes and natural spaces are beautiful. In addition, its residents and visitors enjoy the added advantage of being within close proximity to a number of... linksfield information
Nigel
The town of Nigel, directly south of Springs and Brakpan, lies in what is known as the East Rand, south east of Johannesburg. As with many of the little outlying towns out this way, Nigel began as a gold mining town ......
OR Tambo International
The airport is the hub of South Africa's largest international and domestic carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and a number of smaller local airlines. Located near the town of Kempton Park on the East Rand ........
