Vereeniging

Vereeniging is a city in Gauteng province, South Africa

Vereeniging is a city in Gauteng province, South Africa, with a population of more than 350,000. It is also one of the constituent parts of the Vaal Triangle region and was formerly situated in the Transvaal province. The name Vereeniging is derived from the Afrikaans word meaning "association" or "union".

Vereeniging is currently one of the most important industrial manufacturing centres in South Africa, with its chief products being iron, steel, pipes, bricks, tiles and processed lime. Several coal mines are also still situated in the area, with reserves being estimated at 4 billion tons. Other mines nearby extract fire-clay, silica and building stone.

Vereeniging also has several Eskom thermal power plants that supply electricity to the nearby goldmines.

Located in the heart of Southern Gauteng, formerly known as the Vaal Triangle, 58 km from Johannesburg, Vereeniging has it’s origins in the discovery of coal in the area in 1878. Over the years Vereeniging has developed into a major industrial centre, and with some of the country’s richest coal deposits found in the region, it is one of the largest producers of electric power in South Africa. It’s location on the banks of the Vaal River and it’s close proximity to the Vaal Dam, makes Vereeniging a popular weekend escape for those wishing to take a break from everyday city life. Boating, swimming and angling are only some of the activities to be enjoyed along the banks of the Vaal.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Johannesburg 58 km

Altitude – 1500 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – 530 mm

Average Temperatures – Summer Day 27°c; Night 20°c; Winter Day 18°c; Night 5°c

Banks – Absa, Bank of Lisbon, Fnb, Nedbank, Permanent, Saambou, Standard 2

Dams – Vaal

Rivers – Vaal

HISTORICAL VIEW

Archaeological Sites & Rock Engravings

There is undisputed proof that early man lived in this region during the Stone Age and Iron Age. Stone implements to prove this have been found here and are of special interest as only a few examples of the Achuel culture exists in South Africa – in the Three Rivers and Stellenbosch areas.

Van Riet Lowe

Considered as one of the most important finds in the world as regards Stone Age implements. Examples of these implements are on display at the Vaal Technorama.

Usko

This site sheds light on the development of the hand pick by means of evidence discovered here by TN Leslie.

Redan Rock Engravings

Hundreds of drawings on huge sandstone cliffs on a knoll near Redan. These paintings are so unique that no one has thus far been able to determine their origins – whether they have been drawn by the Bushmen, Hottentots or other Black tribes. (TN Leslie).

Cenotaph

Commemorating soldiers of town who fell in both world wars and in border conflicts. (Civic Centre).

Concentration Camp Cemetery

Graves of women and children who died during the Anglo Boer War. (Near Abattoir).

First School - Built in 1903 by Dr TN Leslie

Flour Mills - Built in 1916 as storage for vast quantities of maize

Garden of Remembrance

Containing graves of British soldiers killed in Anglo Boer War

George Stow Obelisk - Erected in honour of the discoverer of the Vaal Coalfield (1878)

Leeukuil Palaeontological Site

Plant fossils of the ancient species Glossoptoris, dating back 300 million years, have been found here. Glossoptoris plants were mainly responsible for the formation of coal. Exhibits on display at the Vaal Teknorama.

Maccauvlei

The site of an Anglo Boer War concentration camp and memorial to the many Canadian soldiers killed in the same war.

Mine Workers Memorial - Recalling South Africa’s fist coal mining tragedy in 1905.

Peace Monument

Erected to commemorate the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging in May 1902, Sculpter Coert Steynberg, inscription ‘gewond maar onoorwonne’ ‘wounded but unconquered’.

Peace Negotiations Site

Indicated by a tree stump at the recreation centre of Vereeniging Refractories Limited. This is where negotiations for the termination of the Anglo Boer War were held between representatives of the two Boer Republics. British officers, who acted as observers, were housed in an iron clad building, while the ‘Tent Town’ was located on the site of the present day cricket fields.

Pillars of Old Train Bridge

Reminder of the first railway line between the two Boer Republics opened in 1892.

Steam Locomotive - Class 6, in service in 1896

Treaty of Vereeniging

The public library houses a commemoration to the parties to the Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the Anglo Boer War of 1899 – 1902.

Vaal Teknorama Museum

Accent to events leading to the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging and the history of the town; themes on the cultural historical aspects of Vereeniging and it’s environs; archaeological finds and plant fossils dating from the coal formation period; and the development of local industries.

Vereeniging Country Club

Built in 1913 for Roy Lewis, son of one of the town’s founders, Isaac Lewis.

Voortrekker Monument - Celebrating the Voortrekker centenary

NATURE

Exotic Waterfowl Park

At the Riverfront. Entrance near the Planet Kidz Play Park. Home to over 60 species of world’s waterfowl. Special food available to feed the birds. Beautiful cascading ponds.

Riviera Wetlands & Bird Sanctuary

This bird paradise is an extension of the existing Exotic Waterfowl Park

ATTRACTIONS

Abbeycraft Tiles

Arts & Crafts Studio

Edelweiss Ice Skating Rink

Mona Lisa

Riverfront Bowl

River Rascals

The perfect way to spoil your kids. A safe place to leave your child while you go to the movies, shop at River Square, go flea marketing, bird watching or go for a wonderful meal.

Vaal Show

First Show – 1960. The Vaal Show provides suppliers with the ideal opportunity of bringing their products to the attention of the widest possible spectrum of purchasers in the Vaal Triangle. According to official statistics, the Vaal Show is the biggest rural show in South Africa.

ACTIVITIES

Hiking

Three Rivers Nature Trail

A unique self guided trail on the banks of the Vaal, Klip and Suikerbos Rivers.

Outdoors - Boating, Cycling, Fishing Trout, Scuba Diving, Squash, Swimming

Sport - Angling, Action Cricket, Action Karting, Golf, Indoor Shooting

VAAL MEANDER

The Vaal Meander was started some eight years ago, with the idea of promoting and bringing together the Artists and Crafters of the greater Southern Gauteng area.

Peacock’s Nest

87 Main Road, Walkerville. Handcrafted ceramics, stoneware, pottery, cottage, furniture, stained glass and paintings, brass and silverware, linen, soaps, candles, aromatherapy oils and lots, lots more. Relax and enjoy a ‘cuppa’ in the Tea Garden set in lovely country surroundings. Hosts: Barbara, Silvia and Mandy

Ye Olde WoodCrafter

390 Grade Road, Walkers Fruit Farms, Walkerville. Traditional, cottage and custom designed furniture for the home, the office and the pub. Made from Cypress, Teak, Oregon, Oak, Rail Sleepers etc. Lounge, diningroom and bedroom suites, bathroom sets, wall units, pubs, studies, occasional furniture, cabinets, garden benches, desks, mirrors, and furniture restoration. Open on weekends. Buy direct from the factory.

Dieu Donne Restaurant

Main road, Walkerville. Twenty minutes from Johannesburg. Dieu Donne with it’s distinctive Cape Dutch splendour, is a delightful country venue ideal for weddings, as it also has a traditional chapel on the premises, an open patio and lovely garden setting. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Enjoy pub lunches Tuesday to Sunday at Bushpig Bar.

Arboretum Guest Farm

Crop road, Walkers Fruit Farms, De Deur. Self catering or bed and breakfast cottages. Horse trails, walks and picnics. Bush camp in the making. Nursery.

Poppenhuis

Unique cottage shoppe. Handmade porcelain dolls, large selection of top quality gifts, rugs, tea garden and private exhibitions of antique bottles and dolls, ensures pleasant shopping in a relaxed atmosphere.

Country Carriage Works

First road, Walkers Fruit Farms, Walkerville. Unique 1900’s village in the making. Experience a ride on authentically restored carriages in country surroundings. Hear first hand stories about ‘Digger Joe’ or have a weekend break in the ‘Ox Wagon’ accommodation.

Treehaven Waterfowl Trust

Treehaven has the largest collection of ducks, geese and swans in the world, housed on 30 acres of wetlands and gardens. Visit by appointment only. Guided tours for between 10 and 30 people. It has a smaller subsidiary public viewing area at Vosloo Park Riverfront – open six days a week

Mona Lisa

Plot 28 Homelands on R42 Heidelberg Road, Vereeniging. Tea Garden, Handmade gifts jewellery, ethnic crafts and pottery. Unusual and boutique clothing. Wide range of bisque, paints, brushes, glaze sprays, etc. Ceramic painting classes.

Vaal Technorama Museum

1 Beethoven Street, Duncanville, Vereeniging. Cultural and industrial centre. Permanent exhibitions. Vereeniging ‘Carboniferous era to Coal industry’ – social activities 1920 – 1940. ‘Sharpeville to the signing of the constitution’. Presidential exhibit – FW De Klerk official gifts. Prehistoric and historic routes including Rock Engravings, Anglo Boer War and tours to Sharpeville, Conference Facilities – secure and comfortable seating, 30 to 150 people.

Huckleberry Village

Shop 5, Midway Centre, Old Johannesburg / Vereeniging Road, Walkerville. Visit this quaint little shop and take a trip through an old English village. Lavender Cottages stocks soaps, candles and all luxurious goodies to spoil yourself. Walter MacFarlane (Traveller of Distinction) Stocks items from around the world. Huckleberry stocks glassware, silver and brass, fanny Maguire’s Linen Shop stocks fine linens and The Pennyfarthing offers toys. Larkin & Newton’s General Merchants stock stationary, haberdaschery and a wide range of craft requirements. Enjoy delectable Wiesenhof coffees, imported teas and mouthwatering cakes available in the coffee shop.

Cobwebs

10 Mitchell Street, Meyerton. Take a trip down memory lane. Antiques and collectables. Enjoy refreshments in quiet surroundings.

Lindie Loe

40 Loch Street, Meyerton / DF Malan Street, Vanderbijlpark. Large range of exclusive hand made arts and crafts. Unique clothes and shoes. Relax and enjoy the coffee shop while you browse around. Closed on Sunday s and Christian Holidays.

Adlershof Wine Cellar the ‘Reblaus’

5 Boundary Road, Meyerton. With a cosy Austrian ‘Heurigen’ atmosphere, it is the only wine cellar in the Gauteng region which is situated ‘underground’. A vast selection of the best wines of Stellenbosch’s Neethlingshof can be enjoyed at the cellar. Enjoy a typical German light meal. Arrangements can be made for small conferences and parties (up to 55 people). Bookings in advance recommended. Accommodation available in the Gasthaus.

Igoli River Castle Guesthouse

4 Beethoven Street, Vanderbijlpark. This art and culture ‘castle’ creates a magical mood – the garden filled with greenery, hidden corners and access paths to quiet spots. Enjoy the cosy outside braai area. Other facilities include conference catering, serene chapel, bridal party hostessing. Township art & Craft tours. Two minutes from River Resort and three minutes from casino.

Thyme Square Garden Centre

Main road, Walkerville. Exciting craft shop with gifts and collectibles. Fully stocked nursery. Tea garden, along with playground for children. Closed on Christian Holidays.

Summerwood Nursery

Cnr Verwoerd Avenue and Loch Street, Meyerton. Inspirations of your garden. Horticultural advice. Garden layouts. Garden décor. Pots and potted ideas. Indoor and exclusive plants (colours and designs on request). Tea garden – ideal venue for meeting, parties or functions. Office plant hire. Summerwood Garden Club. Open on public holidays, closed December 24^th, 25^th, January 1^st.

The Scarecrow’s Nest

Opposite Pikington Tiles. Hand made crafts and gifts. Coffee Shop. Art workshop by appointment. Kiddies parties, Stork parties, kitchen teas etc.

Arts & Craft Market

12 McKay Estates, Brokett Street, Thee Rivers. Hosts: Erna and Irene. Unique handmade items. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Tea Garden and Coffee Shop in a lovely country atmosphere.

Green House Bed & Breakfast

Plaas Houtpoort, Heidelberg. Enjoy a peaceful stay. Bed and breakfast accommodation in an old fashioned farmhouse. Situated conveniently on the N3. Various Farm animals. Suitable for business representatives.

Weaver’s Nest Guesthouse

21 Weaver Street, Three Rivers East. Enjoy the Tea Garden on the banks of the Suikerbos River. Relax in the exclusive guest house. Wide range of facilities. Ladies Hair and Beauty Salon, Conferences, Seminars, Weddings, Special Functions, Office Parties, lapa, Swimming Pool , Tennis Court, Trampoline. Fully Licensed.

Gallery 88

5 Riemland Street, Sasolburg. Paintings, graphic works, ceramic, sculpture, sketches. Objects d’Art. Browse around and enjoy the best coffee in town at The Lemon Tree Coffee Shop. Confectioneries and lunch available every day. relaxing atmosphere.

Ancient Days

40 Ueckermann Street, Heidelberg. Antique and cottage furniture collectibles. Bric-a-brac. Restoration work.

Casa Mia Guest House

16 Billingham Street, Sasolburg. Centrally situated vis-à-vis Free State, Vaal Triangle and PWV area. Nineteen luxury suites and rooms. Colour Tv and Mnet. Excellent cuisine and bar facilities. Conferences, business lunches and barbecues. Two swimming pools.

Gallery ‘Klein Belgie’

93 Mullerstuine, Potchefstroom Road (off Barrage Road). Look out for the Black, Yellow and Red Flag. Pottery, arts and crafts, paint-your-own-pot. Walnuts in season. Open Saturday only, 09:00 – 17:00 or by appointment

Lake Avenue Inn

17 Lake Avenue, Deneysville. Exclusive upmarket guest house, a la carte restaurant, pub and beer garden. Restaurant closed on Monday and Tuesdays.

Busy Bee Pottery Studio

12 Van der Merwe Street, Deneysville. Exclusive hand painted goods. Full range of bisque DIY kits. Enjoy pottery workshop classes while you stay in ‘home from home’ comforst amongst the serene surroundings of the Vaal Dam at the Fairview Bed and Breakfast guest house. Studio visits 1^st weekend of each month or by appointment.

Accommodation in and around Vereeniging