Gauteng Business 2016 edition

SPECIAL FEATURE

SPECIAL FEATURE Gauteng lifestyle Gauteng is proving to be an African hub for business and leisure alike, with the continents high flyers drawn to its fast paced lifestyle, where hard work and a dream for a better life can move mountains. In Gauteng it’s true that, if you can dream it, you can live it. This vibrancy and spirit of the never-say-die New Yorker attitude is a driving force behind the province’s economic and technological success. South Africa’s most vibrant and exciting province offers numerous sights and places to visit. Gauteng offers the most diverse selection of arts and entertainment in the country. The Union Buildings, the seat of the national government, is also a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The province is home to the Cradle of Humankind, a world heritage site comprised of thirteen caves that have yielded anthropological treasures dating back millions of years. From African street markets to café society, upmarket taverns and museums, it has it all. Nature lovers will fall for the great outdoors, the Krugersdorp Game Reserve, the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve and nature reserves in Randfontein and Roodepoort provide opportunities to view the Big Five in their natural habitat. Tours of the province’s famous gold and diamond mines are also available. A number of vibrant craft markets, which includes Bruma Market World, African Craft Market, Rosebank Rooftop Flea Market and Michael Mount Organic Market showcase African ingenuity through traditional art, curios, carving, colourful caftans, beadwork and leather. Sports and arts Horse racing and equestrian sports are popular in Gauteng, and the province is home to three GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016 54

SPECIAL FEATURE famous racecourses: Newmarket Turf Club, Turffontein Racecourse and the Vaal Racecourse. There are a number of golf courses and country clubs in Gauteng that feature facilities of an extremely high standard. Finally, tourists, visitors and residents in Gauteng can participate in an abundance of adventure sports ranging from skydiving and paragliding to hang-gliding. The moderate climate in Gauteng, characterised by fair weather all year round, is ideally suited for sporting and outdoor activities. The province is home to world-class sports stadiums (including the FNB Stadium, The Wanderers Club, Ellis Park and SuperSport Park) and exhibition venues, and has successfully hosted large-scale international events such as the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Soccer, rugby and cricket are the most popular spectator sports in South Africa, and many of the country’s most popular teams are based in Gauteng, including South Africa’s two most widely supported soccer teams — Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. The arts and culture scene in Gauteng is a melting pot of talent, passion and diversity. For many seeking the ultimate arts and culture experience, Gauteng is the destination of choice, offering a diverse range of stand-up comedy, musicals, ballet, opera, contemporary art and international and local productions. Gauteng is home to the State Theatre in Pretoria, the Civic Theatre in Johannesburg and the Theatre on the Square in Sandton, with these theatres offering an array of classical music, theatre, opera, ballet, drama and contemporary political pieces. In addition, there are also a number of smaller theatres in the province, including the Market Theatre, the Sound Stages and the Barnyard. There are more than 60 museums and art galleries in Gauteng. The province is home to a number of South Africa’s most significant historical heritage museums and venues, including the Apartheid Museum, Museum Africa, the Transvaal Museum and the National Cultural History Museum. Through these museums, which cater to every interest from railroads to military history, visitors to the province are able to learn and experience South African history and the diversity of this Rainbow Nation. University of Pretoria. Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. Health and Education There is an abundance of medical facilities in Gauteng. The province is home to 30 public and 40 private hospitals that provide world-class healthcare services. The provincial department also benefits from a staff complement that includes numerous highly-qualified medical professionals and practitioners, dentists and specialists. There are several educational institutions located in Gauteng, with some 3 374 schools, colleges and universities spread across the province, including several international schools. The number of institutions is set to grow with the Gauteng Department of Education, the DBSA and the Gauteng Funding Agency (GFA – an agency of the provincial Finance Department) aiming to 55 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016