Situated in Gauteng, South Africa's most busy, rich and populated province, Ekurhuleni offers a large, ethnically diverse cluster of townships which provide the visitor with ever-growing tourism experiences.

BACKGROUND
The East Rand as previously known, now renamed Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (a Tsonga name) incorporates the diverse towns of Alberton, Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Edenvale, Germiston, Kempton Park, Springs and Nigel. Most towns in Ekurhuleni were founded and grew as a result of the gold mining activity in the area. Today the area is an industrial hub.

WELCOME TO EKURHULENI
Welcome to our Metro. The place of Peace, Prosperity, Unity and Vibrancy. The Ekurhuleni area offers the visitor excellent dining facilities, unique tours, indigenous wildlife, a large diversity of birdlife, monuments and museums that bear testimony to the country's struggles and achievements, state of the art centres and cinema's, two 5 stars graded Casinos, Carnival City and Ceasars Gauteng, adventure, eco-tourism and many entertainment venues to keep visitors occupied.

Host to Convention for Democratic South Africa (CODESA) - the unique, ground-breaking negotiations which led to the adoption of the first draft of the South African constitution, the most liberal and humane of its kind in the world. The CODESA history can be evidenced at the Ubunye museum in Ceasars Gauteng the only preserved conference centre.

BENONI
The name "Benoni" comes from the Hebrew word in Genesis 35:18 and means "Son of my Sorrow". "The name given to the son of Rebecca, Ben Oni". The name was given to the area by the land surveyor General Johann Rissik who in 1881 was given the task of surveying and naming all the pieces of left over land on the East Rand. Benoni is known as the City of Lakes because it has no fewer than five man-made lakes which offer facilities for various water sports.

Gold was discovered in 1887 and initially a large number of Carnish men flocked to the area. The town was founded in 1907 and was designed by Sir George Farrar, chairman of the mining syndicate which owned the land when Benoni acquired Municipal status in 1907 the area included the present day Brakpan (Brakpan was declared a separate Municipality in 1919) The last of the gold mines in Benoni district closed down in 1967 and the economy of the town is now based almost entirely on manufacturing and heavy industry. Important tourists sites include: The Miracle icon window, Benoni museum, The Lake side mall, Lakes and Lake cruises, Lane of Fame, Bunny Park.

The Miracle icon window: One of the glass window of the St Attanasions church of the Greek Community of Benoni is believed to have a miraculous stain on it. On Good Friday in 1947 the son of the architect (who designed the church) noticed that the window behind the "Stain" turned out to be a picture of the crucification, while none of the other windows shows any sign of discoloration. The phenomenon is best seen in late afternoon when the sun is setting. The "miracle of icon" window attracts visitors from around the whole country.

BENONI MUSEUM
All about Benoni is rich cultural heritage. The museum gallery hosts many interesting exhibitions of arts, crafts, history of the mining industry Olivier Tambo's life and works to name but a few of the exhibitions available. A lovely herb garden is also available for the visitor to sit and enjoy refreshing cup of tea or coffee.

THE LAKE SIDE MALL
With 170 stores from which to choose from, exciting entertainment, secure out-door from parlong and covered paid parlong, a unique water-side experience, great gift vouchers, fantastic food, and courteous customer care, the lake side mall delight a visitor with an experience that is simply the best for all. Stunningly beautiful suitably convenient, easily accessible, wonderful welcoming and fabulously fun.

LAKES AND LAKE CRUISES
Offering more than 40 kilometers of share line, you can pick picnic spot or water venue Barge Cruises available on the middle lake.

TOWNSHIP VIBE
Oliver Reginald Tambo Legacy is a new route that combines elements of history, culture and heritage. The route covers six former black townships of Benoni situated in Ekurhuleni. The six townships are Wattville, Tsakane, Duduza, Kwa Thema, Daveyton and Etwatwa.