Posts Tagged ‘South Africa’

Information Concerning the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

January 14th, 2010

The newly built Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is the first football dedicated stadium in Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas.  Before the construction of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, a multi-purpose stadium, all international football matches scheduled for Port Elizabeth were played at the Eastern Province Rugby Stadium.  The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is situated close to the picturesque North End Lake in the heart of the city.

 

The unique roof of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium was specially designed to withstand the high wind speeds found in Port Elizabeth.  The roof is made up of a series of white “petals”, thus resembling a flower.  This is the reason for the stadium’s nickname, The Sunflower.  The playing surface of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is made of natural grass, while the areas surrounding the pitch consist of artificial turf.  State-of-the-art technology as well as two big screens further enhances the appearance of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

 

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has a capacity of 45,000 with a further 4,000 seats to be installed for the duration of the 2010 Soccer Finals.  A number of private boxes, VIP suites, business suites, a sports clothing shop, a gymnasium, as well as lecture and function rooms will all be available at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

 

During the 2010 Soccer Finals, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host five first round matches, a second round match, a quarter final, as well as the third-place playoff match. 

 

Games scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium:

 

12 June 2010

Match: Korea Republic vs Greece

Time: 16:00

 

15 June 2010

Match: Ivory Coast vs Portugal

Time: 16:00

 

18 June 2010

Match: Germany vs Serbia

Time: 13:30

 

21 June 2010

Match: Chile vs Switzerland

Time: 16:00

 

23 June 2010

Match: Slovenia vs England

Time: 16:00

 

26 June 2010

Match: Winner A vs Runner up B

Time: 16:00

 

02 July 2010

Match: Winner 5 vs Winner 7

Time: 16:00

 

10 July 2010

Match: Loser 1 vs Loser 2

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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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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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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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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Early Beginnings of Durban

November 24th, 2009

The region of KwaZulu-Natal has been inhabited since the Stone Age.  Rock art relics were found in caves throughout the Drakensberg mountain range, where it is believed the Khoi-San people lived as hunter-gatherers for thousands of years.  Vasco de Gama, the Portuguese explorer, landed along this coast in 1497 while discovering the passage from Europe to India.  He named the area Natal.  Trade slowly developed along the coast and marooned mariners built temporary shelters around present-day Durban.       

 

The Birth of Durban

 

Durban as a city was established around 1824 when British Lieutenant FG Farewell and a party of 25 men arrived from the Cape colony and subsequently established themselves on the northern shore of the Bay of Natal.  After a meeting in 1835, the white residents of this region decided to build a town which was called D’Urban, named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, governor of the Cape at the time.  1838 saw whites of continental descent trekking from the Cape colony to escape British rule.  They established the Republic of Natalia, with Pietermaritzburg as the capital.  However, fierce conflict with the local Zulu tribe led to the well-known “Battle of Blood River”; this conflict even spilled over to Durban which caused the city to be evacuated.  Due to military pressure, the Afrikaners had to accept British annexation in 1844.  As a result of this, a lot of Afrikaners left Durban, instead opting to head north where they established Transvaal and the Orange Free State.  A British governor was appointed in Durban while settlers flooded to the area in large numbers.  In 1854, the municipality of Durban was set up.

 

 

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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Exploring Cape Town’s Wine Routes

November 20th, 2009

Wine tasting and viticulture have almost become synonymous with Cape Town’s wine routes over the years.  Wine routes, vineyards, and wine farms are in abundance in and around Cape Town.  Even if you are not a wine lover, but only visiting Cape Town for the 2010 Soccer Finals, you can still enjoy the beautiful wine routes and wine estates that wind around Cape Town’s countryside. 

 

There are plenty of different Cape Town wine routes to choose from.  Stellenbosh, for example, is home to four main wine routes, which includes Helderberg, Simonsberg, Bottlary Hills, and Devon Valley.  This wine route can be explored by car, and is very popular due to its spectacular scenery.  Because the wine farms in the area is located so close to each other, it allows enough opportunity to squeeze in several visits per day. 

 

Worcester in the Breede River Valley is another Cape Town wine route worth visiting.  There are plenty of wine farms situated in Worcester, each offering wine tasting opportunities together with restaurants and shops.  A variety of fauna and flora as well as a number of historic buildings can be viewed here.

 

The town of Wellington is another great Cape Town wine route of choice.  The town is located in the Boland area of the region.  Over a dozen wine farms, together with a brandy route, can be explored.  The beautiful scenery alone would be enough reason to go on this route. 

 

Conclude your Cape Town wine route experience with a trip through the Somerset West region.  The town is situated in the Helderberg wine route region and offers visitors the chance to visit more than 30 wine farms.  Visitors can also enjoy a golf course, a nature reserve, and a shopping mall as well.

 

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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Significance of the City of Cape Town

November 13th, 2009

Cape Town is one of the most significant cities in South Africa.  Cape Town performs an important role both culturally and administratively.  Even though Cape Town comprises a fairly large area, its population density is still low.  Cape Town is most famous for its scenic and natural beauty.  Apart from its famous landmarks, Cape Town also boasts a number of beautiful beaches.  This makes the city of Cape Town a popular tourist destination, explored by tourists throughout the year. 

 

Interesting Facts regarding Cape Town

 

  • Cape Town was the site of first settlement of both Dutch and English settlers in the 19th century;
  • Cape Town is home to well known landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point;
  • Cape Town was the largest city in the Republic, until the expansion of Johannesburg;
  • Cape Town is the primary harbor and airport in the Western Cape;
  • The Port of Cape Town is deemed to be one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world;
  • Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa;
  • One can see Southern Right Whales on the coast of Cape Town, during the breeding season between August and November;
  • Surfing is a popular sport in Cape Town and it organizes a Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year;
  • The “Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour”, organized in Cape Town, is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world;
  • Cape Town has a rich architectural heritage, housing a high density of Cape Dutch style buildings.
  • Cape Town conducts an annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a large minstrel festival, known by the name “Kaapse Klopse”;
  • The headquarters of Naspers, the largest media company in Africa, are located in Cape Town;
  • Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape and also the seat of National Parliament;
  • Cape Town is regarded as the economic centre of the Western Cape and even the regional manufacturing hub;
  • Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South Africa; and
  • Whale watching is quite popular in Cape Town. Bryde’s Whales can be seen here throughout the year.

 

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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Top Things to do in Johannesburg

November 4th, 2009

A trip to Johannesburg, one of Africa’s largest cities, is sure to be a wonderful experience.  The city of Johannesburg is a combination of today’s modern day attractions and a fascinating cultural heritage.  People of all ages with different kinds of interests will find something to entertain them with in Johannesburg, no matter whether you are single or have a big family.  However, it is important to find activities that are appropriate for all family members, including children.  Fortunately, many activities in Johannesburg are designed specifically for children.   You should spend at least a few days in the city to experience some of the main attractions on offer.  You can expect to be quite busy while spending time in Joburg, as the city is also known, or Jozi, as the locals call it.

 

Tours are an excellent way to see the city of Johannesburg.  Bus tours, both of the city itself and outside of the city, are available year round.  Mining and animal-viewing tours are two of the most popular tours for families visiting Johannesburg and its surrounding area.  Zoos, museums, theme parks, and entertainment venues are just some of the attractions waiting to be discovered by you.

 

With the 2010 Soccer Finals now just a few months away, a lot of tourists are expected to embark on South Africa while the tournament is taking place.  A visit to Johannesburg is almost inevitable, seeing as most tourists will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport, the local airport located near Johannesburg.  Most of the top attractions within Johannesburg and its surrounding areas are also easily accessible from the airport.         

 

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 accommodation, restaurants, things to do, transportation, car rental, places to shop, weather patterns and what to pack, emergency procedures, and stadiums, 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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Facts about the Gautrain

October 27th, 2009

The Gautrain is a state-of-the-art high-speed train under construction in Gauteng. An 80-kilometre mass rapid transit railway system forms part of the greater Gautrain project. The Gautrain will link Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo International Airport. Apart from the above mentioned three stations, the seven other stations that will be linked by the railway include Sandton, Rosebank, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Hatfield, and Kempton Park.

What is the Aim of the Gautrain?

The aim of the Gautrain is to bring relieve to the traffic congestion in the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor (especially the N1 Ben Schoeman Highway), and subsequently provide an alternative public transport mode to road transport. The NI Highway carries some of the highest traffic volumes in South Africa with more than 157 000 vehicles making use of it each day; it also has a traffic growth rate of seven percent per year. The Johannesburg-Pretoria traffic corridor carries approximately 300 000 cars per week day. The Gautrain is expected to cut the number of vehicles on the NI Ben Schoeman Highway by 20 percent, with 100 000 daily passenger trips. It is thus estimated that one-fifth of Johannesburg-Pretoria commuters will make the switch from traveling by road to traveling by rail.

Who is behind the Gautrain?

A public-private partnership between government and the Bombela Consortium (representing Murray & Roberts and international specialists in tunneling and maintenance of similar train systems) are responsible for the project that is the Gautrain. The Gautrain is the biggest public-private partnership in Africa.

What are some Interesting Facts surrounding the Gautrain?

• The Gautrain project will be completed in two phases. The first phase is the route between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport, and Sandton and Pretoria. It is estimated to take about four years. Phase two involves the outer links between Johannesburg city centre and Sandton, as well as between Pretoria and Hatfield. Phase two should also take approximately four years

• During construction of the Gautrain, 48 000 jobs will be created;

• A projected 104 000 people will use the Gautrain each day;

• The Gautrain will operate daily from 05:30 to 20:30;

• 65 road intersections will be upgraded during construction of the Gautrain; and

• More than six million cubic meters of soil will have to be moved and disposed of during construction of the Gautrain.

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