Gauteng Business 2017-18 edition

OVERVIEW
Tourism
Major new investments in tourism are under way.
Gauteng is visited by more than half of the visitors to
South Africa and is primarily known for business or
retail tourism. The province aims to be a “Gateway to
Africa” and the “Home of Champions”, a reference to the
hosting of sporting events.
Cultural and history tourism are very well catered for, with
more than 60 museums and art galleries in the province, including
the acclaimed Apartheid Museum. Other major facilities range
from the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History (Transvaal
Museum), Museum Africa in Johannesburg’s cultural Newtown
precinct and the South African Military History Museum to the
National Cultural History Museum.
Kliptown in Soweto is the site of the signing of the Freedom
Charter. An urban regeneration project has seen the development
of the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. Constitution Hill is an old
prison converted to house the country’s most important court,
and several important old buildings have been restored around it.
The provincial authorities have recently expanded infrastructure
at the Maropeng Cradle of Humankind World
Heritage Site to accommodate the increase in tourism
numbers after the exciting discovery of Homo naledi.
Paleology is the hot science of the moment and even more
visitors are expected.
SECTOR INSIGHT
Marriott International will
spend R1-billion on hotels at
Melrose Arch.
• Sun International’s Times
Square and Casino in
Tshwane is a R4.2-billion
project.
The nearby Sterkfontein caves,
owned by the University of
Witwatersrand, have long been
a source of great archaeological
finds. The university’s own Origins
Centre in Johannesburg is well
equipped and provides more fascinating
insight into the origins of
mankind through art and science.
The centre hosts superb representations
of Khoi and San rock art.
Another site where South
Africa’s history is on display is at
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