Host Cities

Johannesburg

Johannesburg lies in Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa and forms part of the City of Johannesburg municipality. Locals have nicknamed the most populous city in South Africa “Joburg”, “Jozi” and “eGoli”.

The City of Johannesburg is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world with a population of just over three million people. Johannesburg, which was founded on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand hills, is the site of a large-scale gold trade.

The city is serviced by OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International Airport), the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

Johannesburg produces 16 % of South Africa's gross domestic product, and accounts for 40% of Gauteng's economic activity. While gold mining no longer takes place within the city limits, most mining companies have their headquarters in Johannesburg. A variety of manufacturing industries also operate in the city. Many banking and commercial companies are also located in Johannesburg and so is Africa's largest stock exchange, the JSE Securities Exchange.

The City of Johannesburg’s land area of 1 644 km² is large when compared with other cities. It also encompasses the townships of Soweto to the south west and Orange Farm and Alexandra to the north.

Event experience

Johannesburg has six major stadiums, four of which are equipped to host large-scale international events. Among the major events the city has hosted are the: 

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1998 InternationaI Association of Athletics Federation World Cup
• All Africa Games 1999
• 2001 International Telecommunications Union Africa
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• 2004 World Summit for Sustainable Development
• 2005 World Petroleum Conference
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and power-boating events.

See information on Soccer City and Ellis Park .

Contact details

To find out more contact:
The City of Johannesburg
P.O. Box 30733, Johannesburg, 2017
Tel: +27 11 407-7478

www.joburgtourism.com
www.joburg.org.za
www.gauteng.net

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa, the provincial capital of the Free State and the largest urban centre in the Mangaung Local Municipality.

Bloemfontein is popularly known as "the city of roses", owing to the abundance of these flowers and the annual rose festival held there.

Mangaung Local Municipality – which comprises the areas Bloemfontein, Botshabelo and Thaba Nchu – covers more than 6 300 km2 and hosts a population of more than 850 000 people (about 23% of the Free State's population). The name Mangaung means “place of the cheetahs”.

Event experience

Bloemfontein has established itself as a major event-hosting destination. World-class sporting facilities and developed infrastructure exist, and there are numerous training facilities. Among the major events hosted are the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1999, 2000 and 2001 International Super Bike Grand Prix
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• numerous international football, cricket, tennis, rugby, hockey and power boating events

See information on Vodacom Park Stadium.

Contact details

To find out more contact
Mangaung Municipality
PO Box 3704, Bloemfontein, 9300
Tel: +27 51 405-8101
Fax: +27 51 405-8108

www.mangaung.co.za
www.dteea.fs.gov.za

Rustenburg

Rustenburg is a large town situated at the foot of the Magalies mountain range in the North West province of South Africa. Just outside the town are the largest platinum mines in the world and the largest platinum refinery, which processes about 70% of the world's platinum.

The town is surrounded by a fertile farming area producing citrus fruit, tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower seeds, maize, wheat and cattle.

Rustenburg forms part of the Rustenburg Local Municipality area – which incorporates Marikana, Monakato and some rural villages.

The Rustenburg Local Municipality has a population of about 400 000 and is centrally located within the North West province and is easily accessible from major South African urban centers.

Event experience

Professional clubs in South Africa frequently choose to play home league matches in the city.

Major events hosted include:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• South African National Athletics Championships.

See information on Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
Rustenburg Municipality
PO Box 16, Rustenburg, 0300
Tel: +27 14 590-3485
Fax: +27 14 590-3003

www.rtbcc.co.za
www.tourismnorthwest.co.za

Pretoria

Pretoria is a progressive city whose charm lies in its harmonious blend of African roots and European traditions. It is a city where history meets 21st century style and development, where vibrant township scenes complement modern shopping centres.

Pretoria is an important industrial centre, with heavy industries including iron and steel casting as well as automobile, railroad and machinery manufacture.

The city has the second largest number of embassies in the world after Washington, D.C. It serves as the executive (administrative) capital city of the country.

Pretoria falls under the City of Tshwane metropolitan area and lies in Gauteng province. It incorporates 13 former local authorities: Pretoria, Centurion, Akasia and Soshanguve, Mabopane, Atteridgeville, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveld, Hammanskraal, Temba, Pienaarsrivier, Crocodile River and Mamelodi.

The City of Tshwane metro area covers 3 200 km2 and is home to about 2.2 million people. 

Event experience

The City of Tshwane plays host to numerous local, national and
international sporting events. The most recent and memorable sporting
events include the:

• 1995 Rugby World Cup
• 1996 African Cup of Nations
• 1999 All Africa Games
• 2003 Cricket World Cup
• World Tug of War championships
• World Junior Chess championships
• International Karate championships.

Contact details

To find out more contact:
City of Tshwane
P.O. Box 6338 , Pretoria , 0001
Tel: +27 12 358-8710

www.tshwane.gov.za
www.tshwanetourism.com