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Johannesburg Tourist Attractions in the City of Gold:

The city is known as the Gateway to Africa, s The city literally built on gold with Cape town as the mother city of SA. Established in 1886 when gold was struck, the city has been rebuilt four times in the past century - it started as a tent town, worked up to a tin-shack settlement, a four-storey Edwardian settlement and finally graduated as a modern city of glass and concrete skyscrapers. It's one of the youngest major cities in the world and is a mélange of African cultures, and is quite possibly the most cosmopolitan city on the continent.

Situated high on the escarpment at just over 2 000m, Johannesburg is a vibrant, energetic and bustling metropolis offering something for everyone. As S.Africa's largest city and economic hub it's home to 3,2 million people, including the residents of Soweto. It's the city of gold and a city that never sleeps. The young and energetic can dance the night away at one of a myriad of nightclubs - from jazz to kwaito. Cigar lounges, sophisticated eateries and world-class theatre productions are also on offer, or a more authentic South African experience can be enjoyed in the shebeens of Soweto and Alexandra.

With massive inner-city renewal, the cultural precincts of Newtown and Constitution hill - the birthplace of democratic SA - are high on visitor itineraries. Johannesburg offers over 150 heritage sites, and the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site is a mere 30 minutes drive from Sandton. Those opting for shopping can explore the glittering malls of Sandton city, Hyde park, Rosebank or north-, east-, south- or westgate. There's also the popular weekend Rosebank rooftop market and MichaelMount organic market. Alternately, enjoy graceful Lippizaners at the only Lippizaner centre outside Austria, stargaze at the planetarium, visit the Johannesburg zoo or tour Soweto and read Nelson Mandela biography at his historical home. In Johannesburg, the leisure and entertainment possibilities are truly endless.

Pretoria Tourist Attractions:

The City of Pretoria is some 50 km north of Johannesburg, which resides within the city of Tshwane metropolitan municipality - a cluster of metropolitan municipalities and councils that amalgamated in December 2002.

As administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa, Pretoria is dominated by government services and the diplomatic corps of foreign representatives in SA.

Pretoria is renowned for its colourful gardens, shrubs and trees, particularly beautiful in spring when the 50 000 jacarandas envelop the avenues in mauve. The city developed at a more sedate pace than Johannesburg, and the town planners had the foresight to include an abundance of open spaces. Pretoria has more than 100 parks, including bird sanctuaries and nature reserves.

The so-called 'Jacaranda city' is a nice, quiet city with important old buildings and fascinating museums.

An air of history pervades much of central Pretoria, especially Church square, around which the city has grown. Church square is regarded by many as the cradle of the city and it is often the point of departure for Pretoria historical sightseeing tours.

Many buildings of historical and architectural importance have been retained or restored to their former splendour.

Must-see Pretoria history sites:

• Austin Roberts bird sanctuary.
• Botanical gardens.
• Church square.
• Melrose house.
• Museum of natural history.
• Paul Kruger house.
• Pretoria hational zoo.
• Union buildings.
• Voortrekker monument.