Ekurhuleni is the new name for Gauteng’s ‘East Rand’ and comprises a number of JHB suburbs, townships and small satellite suburban areas and towns to the east of the Johannesburg, stretching below the Tshwane (Pretoria) area in Northern Gauteng to the border with Mpumalanga. It is also the location of the Oliver Tambo Airport. This is where you will fly in and meet ‘Jozi’.

The Ekuhurleni area is one of the most intensely mined areas in the country. It has long been the mining and industrial capital of South Africa. The many mine dumps and machinery bear testimony to this. Although heavily industrialised, the towns also have quiet tree-lined residential areas, schools and good infrastructure.

There is a diverse fusion of people and cultures making up the population of this area, proving to be a true ‘Rainbow Nation’. It is not uncommon for residents of the East Rand to work in Johannesburg CBD and vice versa.

Attractions in this area include a number of excellent golf courses, shopping malls with world-class shops, cinema complexes, restaurants and other eateries, and ‘Gauteng’s Premier Gaming Destinations’ – Carnival City Casino and Entertainment Complex & Emperors Palace Hotel & Casino. The ever-popular East Rand Trading Square Flea Market is one of the largest in the country offering up an enticing range of African curios and everything else under the sun.

The ‘City of Lakes’, aka Benoni, is the perfect spot for picnics where one is spoilt for choice with five different lakes to choose from. Benoni also boasts the highest number of horses per hectare in the Southern Hemisphere. The East Rand is well-known as a golfing destination with a number of top 100 golf courses. There are also a number of good nature reserves, the Modderfontein Nature Reserve near Edenvale and the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve near Alberton. For the kids, don’t miss the Waterworld in Boksburg, Bunny Park in Benoni and the Rietvlei Zoo Farm in Alberton.

The Marievale Bird Sanctuary in Nigel and the Rondebult Bird Sanctuary in Germiston provide hours of bird watching for the avid birdwatcher.

If you’ve ever dreamt of being a rally driver, here’s your chance to drift those gravel corners. The Rallystar race track is situated along the R51 between Benoni and Bapsfontein. For more information browse the adrenaline-charged packages on their website. Adrenalin freaks may also enjoy Sandboarding at Mount Mayhem in Boksburg – +27 (0)82 605-1150.

For more information on Gauteng, see the ultimate online guide – ShowMe Gauteng.