Midrand is the fastest growing town in Africa and is set on emerge as one of the country’s major cities. It’s ideal location in the heart of South Africa’s economic powerhouse, Gauteng, and it’s close proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria was the catalyst for an economic boom, which was sustained throughout the eighties and continued into the nineties. The jewel in the Gautent crown, it is viewed as the prime location for commercial, industrial and retail development. Midrand’s most attractive characteristic is it’s rural atmosphere with a typical savannah landscape and rolling hills which have their own highveld appeal. This atmosphere has been incorporated in the setting of many sophisticated high tech industries in a low density park like landscaped environment between the Old Pretoria Road and the Ben Schoeman Highway. There are also very strong horse related activities including a major equestrian centre, the Lippizaner showground arena, in Witpoort. Futhremore there is a horse training centre at Randjesfontein which enjoys the benefits of bridle parks as part of the development. A beautiful old church, St Saviour’s, has been relocated to this area from Pietermaritzburg and adds a historical touch. It is also a venue for the Musica Ad Libitum. The area has many bird species hence the establishment of the Glen Austin Bird Sanctuary. The Transvaal Snake Park has long been a tourist attraction. To the south the countryside is enhanced by the beauty of the Jukskei River. The Kyalami Race Track is a well known and international attraction, and for those interested in sporting activities there are tennis and squash courts, as well as a beautiful golf course at the Kyalami Country Club. There are two movie production houses in the Midrand area. Epol (Pty) Ltd hold numerous dog shows and is also a dogtraining centre. For the gourmet there are several exclusive restaurants and for those who wish to stay over, two hotels are available of which the Kyalami Ranch Hotel has long been a popular business conference centre.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Altitude – 1370 m – 1630 m

Banks - Absa 3 (ATM’s 3); Fnb 3 (ATM’s 7), Nbs, Nedbank 5 (ATM’s 4), Peoples Bank, Standard 4 (ATM’s 4)

Dams – Glen Austin Pan, Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary, Leisure Lake

Rivers – Jukskei, Kaalspruit

ATTRACTIONS

Admiral Leisure World

Arts and Crafts

Jenny Ferreira’s intriguing doll workshop. She also exhibit her dolls and doll kits at the Village Market on Thursday and Saturday mornings

Digby Hoets Pottery

Specializes in massive richly textured ceramic jars, bowls and plant containers and gives pottery lessons.

Hand in Midrand

If you’re looking for unusual gifts, Hand in Midrand has a treasure trove of well made and unusual handcrafts ranging from wood carvings to embroidered wall hanings from Gazankulu, rag rugs from Katlehong, hand knitted mohair sweaters, original Robyn Lewis co ordinated separates, pottery, silver jewellery, strong wooden toys, hand painted cards, rolled beeswax candles and large plywood ducks – with flapping wings.

Kyalami Race Track

Midrand is home to one of the best known Grand Prix circuits in the world – Kyalami Race Track. This centre of South African motor sport is also the only one in South Africa to host international races.

Night Clubs - Bump, Millenium, The Sound Stage, Teasers, Valley Tavern

St Saviour’s Church

St Saviour’s Church located in Ranjesfontein has a history as rich as the list of celebrities married there. Destined for demolition in Pietermaritzburg it was bought for R1000 in 1976 and rebuilt in Midrand.

The Transvaal Snake Park

The Transvaal Snake Park, which was the first of it’s kind in the former Transvaal, has about fifty closed exhibits, plus open air enclosures which contain crocodiles and lizards.

Accommodation in and around Modimolle (Nylstroom