Archive for December, 2009

Interesting Information about the City of Rustenburg

December 15th, 2009

The city of Rustenburg is situated in the North West Province.  Rustenburg is a restful city in the heart of the savannah bushveld, located near the foothills of the magnificent Magaliesberg Mountains.  The highveld plateau surrounding Rustenburg exists of low mountains and grasslands.  The city enjoys a sub-tropical climate with the average temperatures around 31°C in summer and 16°C during winter.  The climate is generally ideal for year round outdoor activities. 

The region surrounding Rustenburg is rich in mineral wealth and boasts the most platinum mined in the world making it the platinum capital of the world.  Mining, therefore, provides the most employment in the area.  Most of the mining activity in the Rustenburg region is centred around platinum on the Merensky Reef which stretches from west of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve towards Marikana and Brits in the east.  It is interesting to note that the two largest platinum mines in the world are to be found here, and the area also produces slate, granite, marble, lead, chrome, tin, and asbestos.

The world famous holiday resort of Sun City, incorporating The Palace of the Lost City, is situated only 30 kilometres from Rustenburg.  Other attractions at this resort include a 25-hectare jungle, The Valley of the Waves, and hot air balloon rides.

When digging into the history of Rustenburg, it becomes apparent that the Bafokeng people, who are well known in this region, also originate from this region.  Bafokeng means “people of the dew”. They are originally from the Bakwena people, and settled near the Rustenburg area more than 200 years ago. The 36th reigning monarch is King Leruo Molotlegi.  Rustenburg also has a strong Voortrekker influence and was one of the first cities of importance in their history.  In 1851, they named the city Rustenburg, which means “place of rest”.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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About the Royal Bafokeng Stadium

December 15th, 2009

The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace is a multi-purpose sport stadium located in the Rustenburg suburb of Phokeng.  The Royal Bafokeng Stadium was opened in 1999 and completely funded by the Royal Bafokeng community, after whom the stadium was also named.  The Royal Bafokeng Stadium is already well equipped and required only minor renovations to bring it up to the requirements of FIFA.  These included new floodlights, electronic scoreboards, as well as a new public address system.  The capacity of the stadium was also increased from 38 000 to 42 000 with the construction of two additional rows of seating on the second level.  All these upgrades were completed by March 2009.

Bafana Bafana, the South African national soccer team, first played at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in 2001 in a 2002 Soccer Finals qualifying game against Burkino Faso; the home team won the match 2-1.  The Royal Bafokeng Stadium also hosted its first rugby union match in September 2006, when South Africa’s Springboks defeated the national team of New Zealand, the All Blacks, 21-20.  However, it is a shame that a magnificent stadium such as the Royal Bafokeng Stadium does not have its own Premier Soccer League team, despite hosting some games from time to time.      

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Royal Bafokeng Stadium will host five first round matches and a second round match.

 

Games scheduled for Royal Bafokeng Stadium:

 

12 June 2010

Match: England vs USA

Time: 20:30

 

15 June 2010

Match: New Zealand vs Slovakia

Time 13:30

 

19 June 2010

Match: Ghana vs Australia

Time: 13:30

 

22 June 2010

Match: Mexico vs Uruguay

Time 16:00

 

24 June 2010

Match: Denmark vs Japan

Time: 20:30

 

26 June 2010

Match: Winner C vs Runner up D

Time: 20:30

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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City of Bloemfontein worth a Visit

December 11th, 2009

The city of Bloemfontein is centrally situated in the province of the Free State; therefore, Bloemfontein is also located roughly in the middle of South Africa.  Bloemfontein’s position between Johannesburg and Cape Town means that it has neither a big-city vibe nor an ocean.  It also has no rush hour traffic, no road rage, and no urban sprawl either.  It’s just a nice little city in the middle of the country.  However, Bloemfontein does boast other attractions.       

 

The name Bloemfontein literally means “Spring of Flowers’, hence the city’s nickname of “City of Roses”.  It is a pretty name that Bloemfontein actually lives up to.  Bloemfontein is planted with thousands of rose bushes, which makes for a fabulously colourful roadside display.  The green theme is carried a bit further by a small nature reserve called Naval Hill, located right in the centre of the city.  The Orchid House is another must for floral lovers, as well as the Free State Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the city.

Bloemfontein has a number of art galleries and some interesting museums, including the War Museum and the National Women’s Monument – a poignant reminder if ever there was one of the futility and ferocity of war.  Even though Bloemfontein is thus not exactly the tourist mecca of South Africa, it is still a good stopover place if you’re driving the N1, and it’s definitely worth spending a day there if you have the time.  There are decent restaurants, some nice pubs, and some good live music venues.  It is also the closest city to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Bloemfontein functions as one of three capitals of South Africa, as it serves as the judicial capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Developments surrounding Vodacom Park 2010 Upgrades

December 11th, 2009

The stadium of Vodacom Park, previously known as Free State Stadium, in the city of Bloemfontein will be utilized for hosting some of the 2010 Soccer Finals matches.  It is interesting to note that a brief name change will be in forced during the four weeks that the soccer showpiece is being held.  This decision was taken after it was felt that the old name, “Free State Stadium”, will aid in a stronger Free State based approach towards 2010 preparations. 

 

In order to comply with official FIFA requirements, the upgrades to Vodacom Park included the following:

 

  • The original capacity of 38 000, including VIP seats, was increased to accommodate 45 000 spectators;
  • A 2nd tier was added on the western pavilion in order to help with the increased capacity.  This modification required the complete removal of the roof and the construction of a new upper tier;
  • Media centre behind the western pavilion, which will be converted to a new indoor multi-purpose facility;
  • Media seating for written press, radio, and telecommunication;
  • Venue operating centre for Security and CCTV;
  • Provision of security perimeters (including 16 cameras for CCTV);
  • Upgrading of public address sound system;
  • Upgrading of floodlights to increase illumination to the required 1500 lux; and
  • New turnstiles installed for improved controlled flow of spectators.

 

The construction process at Vodacom Park began during September 2007 and was completed by March 2009.  Post 2010 Soccer Finals Vodacom Park, like all other 2010 stadia, will continue to host more rugby and soccer matches and other additional events that may be sports or non what so ever related.

 

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Vodacom Park will host five first round matches and a second round match.

 

Games scheduled for Vodacom Park:

 

14 June 2010

Match: Japan vs Cameroon

Time: 16:00

 

17 June 2010

Match: Greece vs Nigeria

Time: 16:00

 

20 June 2010

Match: Slovakia vs Paraguay

Time: 13:30

 

22 June 2010

Match: France vs South Africa

Time: 16:00

 

25 June 2010

Match: Switzerland vs Honduras

Time: 20:30

 

27 June

Match: Winner D vs Runner up C

Time: 16:00

 

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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About the City of Pretoria

December 11th, 2009

 

Pretoria is commonly known as the Jacaranda City by its inhabitants due to all the purple blossom-bedecked trees which line its streets.  Pretoria is a lovely and quiet city compared to the neighbouring city of Johannesburg.  Unlike Johannesburg, which is one of the most ‘happening’ cities on the African continent and gleams with the glamour and money, Pretoria has been left to shrug off its former association with the apartheid government in a relative state of slumber as it lies in a warm, sheltered valley surrounded by the hills of the Magaliesberg range; this subsequently ensures that temperatures in Pretoria are always a few degrees warmer than Johannesburg.

 

Pretoria functions as one of three capitals of South Africa, as it serves as the administrative capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.  Pretoria has a population that exceeds a million people, the bulk of whom are government officials.  The city centre of Pretoria is laid out in typical city fashion on a grid with wide roads, making getting around fairly simple.

 

Pretoria has a long, involved and fascinating history; hence the many old buildings, fascinating museums, galleries, and monuments found in and around the city.  Practically mandatory when visiting Pretoria is the Voortrekker Monument, the Pioneer Museum, Melrose House, the Union Buildings, the Zoo, and Pretoria Botanical Gardens. 

 

As far as the city’s history is concerned, Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, a leader of the Voortrekkers, who named it after his father Andries Pretorius.  The elder Pretorius had become a national hero of the Voortrekkers after his victory over the Zulus in the Battle of Blood River.  Andries Pretorius also negotiated the Sand River Convention (1852), in which Britain acknowledged the independence of the Transvaal.  On 1 May 1860, Pretoria became the capital of the South African Republic (ZAR).  The founding of Pretoria as the capital of the South African Republic can be seen as marking the end of the Boers’ settlement movements of the Great Trek.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Loftus Versfeld truly a World Class Stadium

December 11th, 2009

Loftus Versfeld is truly one of South Africa’s top stadiums with a seating capacity of nearly 50 000.  Loftus Versfeld is situated in the country’s capital of Pretoria.  Home ground of the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns, the Blue Bulls Currie Cup rugby team and the Bulls Super 14 rugby squad, it was also one of the main venues for the 1995 Rugby World Cup.  In addition to being one of South Africa’s premier sporting venues, Loftus Versfeld is also a popular venue for big concerts.

 

Often simply referred to as Loftus, it has served as a venue for many international soccer matches.  South Africa achieved their first victory over a European opposition at Loftus Versfeld, beating Sweden 1-0 in 1999.

To qualify for selection as a first and second round venue the floodlights, sound system and scoreboard at Loftus Versfeld were upgraded and designated media areas were constructed in the lower level of the west stand.  Very little other upgrades were necessary for the stadium to be ready for the 2010 Soccer Finals.  It was also a venue for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

History of Loftus Versfeld Stadium

The stadium was named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, the founder of organized sports in Pretoria.  Through the years the stadium has undergone various name changes as sponsors came and went, though locals have always referred to the stadium as Loftus Versfeld.  The site of the stadium was first used for sports in 1906, and the field was simply called the Eastern Sports Ground.   The first concrete structure was erected there by the City Council in 1923. The original structure could only accommodate 2000 spectators, and did not have proper sports facilities.

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Loftus Versfeld Stadium will host five first round matches and a second round match.

 

Games scheduled for Loftus Versfeld Stadium:

 

13 June 2010

Match: Serbia vs Ghana

Time: 16:00

 

16 June 2010

Match: South Africa vs Uruguay

Time: 20:30

19 June 2010

Match: Cameroon vs Denmark

Time: 20:30

 

23 June 2010

Match: USA vs Algeria

Time: 16:00

 

25 June 2010

Match: Chile vs Spain

Time: 20:30

 

29 June 2010

Match: Winner F vs Runner up E

Time: 16:00

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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About King Shaka International Airport

December 2nd, 2009

In order to improve the transport infrastructure in and around Durban for the 2010 Soccer Finals, the South African Government together with the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), have decided to construct a new international airport for the city.   The new King Shaka International Airport will be situated at La Mercy, approximately 30km north of Durban.  As soon as King Shaka International Airport is fully operational, the old Durban International Airport will be decommissioned; this is due to take place by the first quarter of 2010. 

 

The existing Durban International Airport is currently the smallest of South Africa’s three international airports.  Studies have indicated that the existing Durban International Airport terminal is too small to handle the growing tourist and commercial trade through Durban.  Passenger growth at Durban International Airport has doubled since 2005 from two million to four million passengers a year.  With the 2010 Soccer Finals looming large, important decisions had to be made; hence the construction of King Shaka International Airport.

 

The King Shaka International Airport was named after the famous Zulu warrior king.  This is because Durban, South Africa’s third largest city, is located in the heart of the Zulu lands.

The King Shaka International Airport will integrate both passengers and freight. This will subsequently eliminate any operational and logistic constraints experienced at the old Durban International Airport. 

The passenger terminal at the King Shaka International Airport will have around 18 passenger aircraft stands and a size of 19,500m², which will cater for both domestic and international travel (six million a year).  The initial capacity of King Shaka International Airport will allow for 7.5 million passengers on an annual basis with opportunities for future expansion, should it be required.

The runway of the King Shaka International Airport will be 3,7km long in order to accommodate the latest New-Generation Large Aircraft (NGLA) which includes the A380 Airbus, with expansion options.  The passenger terminal at King Shaka International Airport will have greatly expanded retail concession opportunities.

The King Shaka International Airport will also boast facilities for police, military, VIP, general aviation and aircraft maintenance operations.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Interesting Information on the Moses Mabhida Stadium

December 2nd, 2009

Durban’s newest stadium, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, is a state-of-the-art, world-class stadium specifically built for the 2010 Soccer Finals.  However, it can also be used as a multi-purpose sports venue after the 2010 Soccer Finals, while it will also be ideal for hosting recreational and cultural events. 

 

The Moses Mabhida Stadium takes its unique design from the South African flag, with the grand arch representing the unity of this sport-loving nation.  The two legs of the arch on the southern side of the stadium, come together to form a single footing on the northern side symbolizing the new unity of a country once-divided.  The Moses Mabhida Stadium boasts a cable car which ascends to a viewing platform at the top of the 350m arch, 106m above the pitch.  Visitors and spectators are thus able to experience panoramic views of both the city and nearby shoreline. 

 

Quick Facts surrounding the Moses Mabhida Stadium  

  • The Moses Mabhida Stadium is named after Moses Mabhida, a former General Secretary of the SACP (South African Communist Party);
  • The Moses Mabhida Stadium will have the capacity to hold 70 000 spectators during the 2010 Soccer Finals and 54 000 in legacy mode thereafter;
  • The roof of the Moses Mabhida Stadium, consisting of Teflon coated glass fibre membranes, 46 000 square metres in total, are attached to the arch by 95mm diameter steel cables.  Around the perimeter of the stadium structure is an 880m long steel compression ring that maintains the structure of the roof; and
  • A new Kings Park Railway Station is being developed adjacent to the Moses Mabhida Stadium, allowing spectators direct access to the stadium precinct.

 

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Moses Mabhida Stadium will host five first round matches, a second round match and a semi-final.

 

Games scheduled for Moses Mabhida Stadium:

 

13 June 2010
Match: Team D1 – Team D2
Time: 16:00

 

16 June 2010
Match: Team H1 – Team H2
Time: 16:00

 

19 June 2010
Match: Team E1 – Team E3
Time: 16:00

 

22 June 2010
Match: Team B2 – Team B3
Time: 20:30

 

25 June 2010
Match: Team G4 – Team G1
Time: 16:00

 

28 June 2010 – Preliminary Round
Matches: Team 1E – Team 2F
Time: 16:00
Determined by results of group stages

7 July 2010 – Semi Final
Matches: Team B – Team D
Time: 20:30
Determined by results of group stages

 

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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