BusinessTravel Guide
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GAUTENG
The Urban Heart of South Africa
G A U T E N G
A trip to the province of Gauteng will provide you with an unforgettable chance to experience the astonishing rebirth of Johannesburg, exploring every aspect of what this vibrant place has to offer its newcomers Writer: Phoebe Calver Project Manager: Joe Palliser
he province of Gauteng is the beating heart of South Africa - as well as the well oiled economic engine of Africa - and with the country’s largest and perhaps most dynamic city, Johannesburg at its centre, it is becoming ever more popular. With the impressive rebirth of Johannesburg, the province is becoming a culturally dynamic epicentre. Having once been considered a place to avoid, now it is one of the most inspiring metropolises in the world and the perfect hot-spot
for business travel. It is likely that you will spend a lot of your working hours in Johannesburg, however, there are plenty of spectacular sights to explore in your free time slightly further afield. Pretoria is a short drive out to the north and will provide you with the perfect respite from busy Joberg. As South Africa’s administrative capital Pretoria will provide a slightly grander experience, with a plethora of stately buildings and museums to wind away your hours. A business trip in Gauteng provides the perfect setting, with the province
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being South Africa’s centre for both the industrial and commerce sectors, subsequently being very well connected. Gauteng is considered the gateway to Southern Africa, with the majority of destinations easily accessible by either a short flight or drive. Despite the fact that Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa making up only 1.5 percent of the land area - it is one of the most urbanised areas, containing the country’s largest city and therefore an endless array of opportunities for exploration in this rejuvenated area during your travels.
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FACTS & FIGURES Capital: Languages:
Johannesburg Zulu, English, Afrikaans, Sotho
Area: 18,176 km2 Population (2016): 13.5 million Currency: rand Time zone: UTC +2 Internet TLD: . .za Climate: subtropical
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SEE MORE OF GAUTENG WITH GAUTRAIN! The Gautrain connects you to your places of interest around the Gauteng province. Hop on to explore fascinating places, attractions and tourist destinations along the Gautrain and bus routes.
Tshwane Ekurhuleni Johannesburg
OR Tambo International Airport
NORTH - SOUTH All trains stop at every station. COMMUNTER
Hatfield
Metrorail
EAST - WEST COMMUNTER
All trains stop at every station. Use REAR two coaches only.
AIRPORT
All trains stop at every station. Demarcated:
METRORAIL INTERCHANGE
Change here for Metrorail lines.
Tshawne Metrorail
Centurion
Midrand
Malboro Sandton
Metrorail
Rhodesfield
O.R Tambo
Rosebank Park
Metrorail
Find your nearest station and bus stops on the Gautrain app. Call Centre: 0800 Gautrain / ww.gautrain.co.za
G A U T E N G
The Business End GAUTENG IS CONSIDERED by South Africans as the economic hub of the country, massively contributing to many sectors in the industry such as financial, manufacturing, technology, transport, telecommunications as well as a wide variety of others; while also hosting numerous large overseas companies that are in need of a commercial base and a gateway into African business. Not only is Gauteng the economic hub of Africa, it is also home to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the largest of its kind in Africa, making the province a particularly attractive area to
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large businesses and similarly appealing as a business travel destination. Mining was actually the foundation from which a large amount of economic prowess was formed, however, in recent years the mining sector’s importance has gradually began to dwindle with other sectors taking the lead to become the most significant to the economy of the province. Johannesburg in particular is a growing hub for the media, housing several media groups that own a number of newspaper and magazine publications, with two of these publications being
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Independent Newspapers and Naspers (Media24). Alongside its bustling business activities, Gauteng is becoming a renowned centre for learning in South Africa, housing many universities as well as a variety of other higher learning institutions. The province is not traditionally known as a tourist favourite - more often than not it acts as a pass through point - which in many ways makes it the perfect destination for business travel. It is well connected and has just enough sights to see to keep you entertained in your free time.
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International
Convention Centre
naturally hospitable • globally accessible
Pretoria/Tshwane | www.csiricc.co.za
INDABA HOTEL, SPA & CONFERENCE CENTRE CONFERENCE
YOUR AFRICAN DESTINATION IN JOHANNESBURG
EPSOM BISTRO
BANQUETS
Just north of the fast paced business world of Sandton lies the 258 bedroom Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre; a compelling blend of business-like efficiency and relaxed country atmosphere within close proximity of the International Airport making the Indaba perfect for groups and leisure travellers.
CHIEF’S BOMA
LUXURY SUITES
The hotel features 24 multi-purpose conference venues ranging from Executive Boardrooms to large Banquet Venues seating up to 500 people. Boasting 2 world class restaurants and the renowned MOWANA Spa, the Indaba Hotel is sure to meet your business and leisure requirements.
MOWANA SPA
Phone: +27 11 840 6600 | Email: indaba@indabahotel.co.za Website: www.indabahotel.co.za
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Out & About ALONG WITH ITS business prowess in Africa, Gauteng offers an endless array of activities to keep you occupied while working away from home. The province has everything you could possibly need for your business travels when it comes to providing a peaceful base, including the Maslow Hotel, located in Sandton, Johannesburg and widely known as the premier accommodation for business travellers - partly due to its prime location in Sandton’s financial district. Another perk of staying in a hotel located in this area is the proximity to the station, city mall and Nelson Mandela Square, providing the perfect base for
exploration in your free time. In the evenings similar to many cities that open the doors to business travellers, there is a plethora of food & drink choices to play with. If you are up for trying something a little different with your evening then Johannesburg has an array of distilleries to wind down in after a long day of work. Of course, Gauteng is steeped in history around every corner and you won’t have to travel far to discover a monument
PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH
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or museum to amaze you on a free afternoon. Alongside the museums, Johannesburg offers up some incredible art to enjoy, including Wits Art Museum; home to an incredible collection of African art, including contemporary as well as historical art from South Africa. You will also find a plentiful supply of nature to wind away a few hours away from the office, including Pretoria National Botanical Garden, one of South Africa’s nine botanical gardens and a truly special place to escape the bustle of the city.
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Transport Links
The rail network is one of Jo’berg’s most advisable modes of transport
TRAVELLING TO GAUTENG will be a relatively simple process, taking the stress away from the bookends of your trip; with almost all international flights arriving at Johannesburg or Tambo International Airport. The public transport you may have become accustomed to during European business trips will be relatively non-existent, so if your work requires extensive travel or you plan to explore, it is advisable to rent a car. This is easily done with all national car rental agencies being well represented in Gauteng.
Getting around by train is perhaps one of the most advisable modes of transport after renting a car. With the rapid rail link - Gautrain completed that allows travel between Johannesburg, Pretoria and Tambo International Airport. Travelling on the rapid rail system enables you to travel between the major centres, while also having a sizable bus route which supports the stations and covers the majority of suburban and business districts in the province. The service is affordable, particularly if you have to use it on a regular basis, while also
being convenient in both business and tourism hours. If you aren’t confined by a tight schedule at any point, then there is also the option of the slightly less formal minibus taxis - of which there are thousands roaming around Gauteng - which a large proportion of the local population makes use of. However, for those travelling, it is worth noting that these taxis are often unsafe as drivers will ignore the rules of the road; in some cases the vehicles won’t even be road worthy, so use with caution when travelling around.
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G A U T E N G
Outlook Recommends “If you’re in search of urban vibes, Gauteng will enthrall you. This small province is the throbbing heart of the South African nation and the economic engine of Africa.” - Lonely Planet
NIGHTLIFE
MUSEUMS Hector Pieterson Museum Wits Art Museum Arts on Main
HOSPITALITY
Mad Giant
CSIR International Convention Centre
The Griffin
Indaba Hotel The Maslow Hotel
Time Anchor Distillery NATURE
LEISURE The Joburg Theatre Benoni Country Club Bruma Lake Flea Market
FOOD & DRINK The Grillhouse
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Kream Restaurant
Cradle of Humankind
Pachas Restaurant
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
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㜀㌀ 䔀渀 猀甀椀琀攀 刀漀漀洀猀
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吀攀愀洀 戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最 倀愀挀欀愀最攀猀
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Apartheid Museum Mandela House Constitution Hill
⬀㈀㜀 ⠀ ⤀㈀ 㘀㘀 ㌀㌀ 簀 攀渀焀甀椀爀椀攀猀䀀氀攀爀椀戀愀⸀挀漀⸀稀愀 簀 眀眀眀⸀氀攀爀椀戀愀⸀挀漀⸀稀愀
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RETAIL Sandton City Shopping Centre Melrose Arch Braamfontein
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G A U T E N G
Landmark Attractions Freedom Park
“Freedom Park celebrates South Africa’s heritage. It is a centre of knowledge aimed at deepening the understanding of the nation and strives to accommodate all of the country’s experiences and symbols to tell one coherent story.” - freedompark.co.za
Sterkfontein Caves
“An hour’s drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Sterkfontein Caves are world famous for their fossil finds and a well-known visitor destination. After an extensive face-lift in 2005, the Sterkfontein Caves site is home to a top restaurant, conferencing facilities, easy access to the caves themselves, modern walkways and a boardwalk past the excavation site where world-acclaimed fossils have been discovered.” - maropeng.co.za
Apartheid Museum
“The Apartheid Museum illustrates the rise and fall of South Africa’s era of segregation and oppression, and is an absolute must-see. It uses film, text, audio and live accounts to provide a chilling insight into the architecture and implementation of the apartheid system, as well as inspiring stories of the struggle towards democracy.” - Lonely Planet
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Constitution Hill
“Inspiring Constitution Hill is one of the city’s most important attractions. It offers travellers interested in the modern South African story an integral understanding of the legal and historical ramifications of the struggle. The development focuses on South Africa’s new Constitutional Court, built within the ramparts of the Old Fort, which dates from 1892 and was once a notorious prison – many of the country’s high-profile political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi, were once held there.” - Lonely Planet
Voortrekker Monument
“The majestic Voortrekker Monument is situated in the northern part of South Africa in the Pretoria (Tshwane) region in a nature reserve. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting.” - vtm.org.za
Rietvlei Nature Reserve
“The reserve comprises endangered Bankenveld grassland and is home to approximately 2 000 animals including cheetah, leopard, buffalo, white rhino and a host of buck, making it one of
the better populated game reserves in Gauteng. The bird watching is remarkable with two dams on the reserve with bird hides which provide open water and wetland habitats.” - Gauteng.net
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BusinessTravel Guide joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 676
ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com
+44 (0)1603 959 672
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