Gauteng Business 2017/18 is the ninth edition of this highly successful annual journal, that has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Gauteng province. Special features for 2017/18 include a focus on major new developments in the region’s metros, complemented by detailed overviews of the main economic sectors in South Africa’s most important provincial economy.
OVERVIEW Tourism Major
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 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2017/18 52
OVERVIEW Freedom Park, a sprawling complex of museums, open spaces and memorials on a hillside overlooking Pretoria in Tshwane. Craft markets at Rosebank, Bruma and many other places draw large numbers of visitors, and provide economic opportunities for a wide range of entrepreneurs in textiles, leather, traditional art and beadwork. The broader creative industries sector contributes more than R3.3-billion to the Gauteng economy and employs 182 000 people, according to the provincial government. This includes film and advertising studios. South Africa’s biggest international airport is OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni. Some R200-million was spent on extending and upgrading the runways and aprons prior to South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup football tournament. OR Tambo caters about 20-million passengers every year, receives more than 105 000 arriving air traffic movements and employs 18 000 people. Gauteng is a continental leader in conferences and events. Most large hotels have conference facilities. The Johannesburg Tourism Company has a dedicated unit, the Johannesburg Convention Bureau, that assists companies in preparing bid documents and in supplying relevant information on telecommunications and IT services and the securing of visas for visiting international delegates. Large venues in Johannesburg are: • Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. Capacity: 15 000 • Coca-Cola Dome, Randburg. Capacity: 14 000 • Standard Bank Arena, New Doornfontein. Capacity: 6 300 • Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton: Capacity: 4 500 CITY STRESSING We all know the benefits of stress. Stress is a driving force, it gives us clarity and energises us to focus on what must be accomplished. Stress is most beneficial when we have a low baseline stress level, with occasional spikes, but can impact our physical and mental health negatively when it remains elevated for too long. In our modern world our stresses have changed, they have become more complicated and take longer to resolve. Fewer stresses can be solved with physical activity, and our sedentary lifestyle, combined with poor diets (for good health never eat food with its own ad), and higher body fat percentages, is leading to persistent low-grade inflammation. This persistent low-grade inflammation in turn triggers or contributes to what we now call lifestyle diseases: heart disease, auto-immune disorders, depression, diabetes, cancer, chronic pain and neuro-degenerative diseases. A few tips on how to reduce lifestyle-induced inflammation: Lose excess weight Fat is a store of inflammatory agents which starts having a negative impact for body fat of over about 25% (too little fat is also bad – be sensible) Eat Omega-3 fatty acids These foods help to directly reduce inflammatory responses. Oily fish, walnuts and spinach are all good sources Exercise Physical activity helps your liver to metabolise fat, and release anti-inflammatory chemicals Stretch Extending inflamed muscles reduces inflammation almost immediately Take low-dose aspirin Check with your doctor first. Anette Kruger is Managing Director of Hoogland Health Hydro, a holistic wellness centre in Gauteng’s largest private game reserve. 53 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2017/18
