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In terms of the Constitution of South Africa, the country is divided into nine provinces, each with its own Legislature, Premier and provincial members of executive councils. The provinces each have their own distinctive landscapes, vegetation and climate.
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Western Cape
The Western Cape continues to be one of the most favoured destinations for foreigners. It is estimated that tourism accounts for about 9,1% of the Western Cape's regional product and employs a similar proportion of the formal work-force. The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is situated in the Clock Tower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront. The Gateway houses interactive multimedia exhibitions, an auditorium, boardrooms, a new Robben Island MuseuOrm shop and restaurant. Table Mountain is a popular site for visitors and provides the majestic backdrop to the vibrant and friendly Mother City. It can be reached by an ultra-modern cableway. The Mountain forms part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. |
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Northern Cape
The Augrabies Falls National Park remains the main attraction of the Northern Cape. Gameviewing drives reveal a variety of bird life, and animals such as klipspringers, steenbok, various wildcats and otters. The popular three day Klipspringer Trail encompasses all the major landmarks in the southern section of the Park, including some amazing rock formations. The Big Hole in Kimberley is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. The Kimberley Tram Service dates from the beginning of the 20th century and still transports passengers from the City Hall to the Mine Museum. Underground mine tours are a big attraction, as well as the famous ghost tours, during which many historical buildings are seen from a different perspective. |
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Free State
The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa with the Kingdom of Lesohto nestling in the hollow of its bean-like shape. Between the Vaal River in the north and the Orange River in the South, this immense rolling prairie stretches as far as the eye can see. The capital, Bloemfontein, has a well-established institutional, educational and administrative infrastructure and houses the Supreme Court of Appeal. The Province has a well-known university and many other training institutions. Important towns include Welkom, the Heart of the Goldfields and one of the few completely pre-planned cities in the world; Odendaarsrus, another gold-mining town; Sasolburg, which owes its existence to the petrol-from-coal installation established there; Kroonstad, an important agricultural, administrative and educational centre; Parys on the banks of the Vaal River; Phuthaditjhaba, well-known for the beautiful handcrafted items produced by the local people, and Bethlehem, gateway to the Eastern Highlands of the Free State. |
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Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is situated along the southeastern coast of South Africa and is the only province in South Africa, and one of the few places on earth, where all seven biomes (major vegetation types) converge. With approximately 820 km of unspoilt coastline, the beaches of the Eastern Cape are among the most impressive anywhere, stretching from the Tsitsikamma National Park along the south coast, through St Francis Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Algoa Bay, up to the pristine Wild Coast and south-eastern coast to Port Edward. Added to the diverse coastal experiences are a number of national parks and private game reserves, which collectively cover an area larger than the Kruger National Park. |
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Limpopo
Limpopo (formerly the Northern Province) is well endowed with cultural diversity, historic sites and tourist attractions. The Nylsvley Nature Reserve in Waterberg has one of the greatest concentrations of waterfowl and bushveld birds in South Africa. More than 400 species frequent the area. The Mokopane (formerly Potgietersrus) vicinity has several nature reserves. The Arend Dieperink Museum has a fine cultural-historical collection, and the Makapan Caves are notable for their fossils. The Caves are being developed into an archaeological site. |
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North-West
North-West has five geographically distinct areas, namely the Central, Eastern, Bophirima, Rustenburg and Southern districts. The Historic Route in the Central District of Mafikeng includes an Anglo-Boer/South African War siege site, the Molema House where Sol Plaatje lived while writing his Mafikeng Diary, and the Mafikeng Museum. The Lichtenburg Game Breeding Centre and the Botsalano Game Reserve are well worth a visit. |
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Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga - ‘the place where the sun rises’ - epitomises every traveller's dream of the true African experience. Located in the north-eastern part of South Africa, the province is bordered by Mozambique to the east and the Kingdom of Swaziland to the south and east. The climate and topography vary from cool highland grasslands at 1 600 m above sea level, through the middleveld and Escarpment, to the subtropical Lowveld towards the Kruger National Park and many private game reserves. |
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Gauteng
The Gauteng Provincial Government is to contribute more than R300 million over the next few years towards developing tourism sites in the province. These include a Big Five nature reserve east of Pretoria, developing infrastructure in the Leeufontein Nature Reserve and Roodeplaat Dam Reserve, and improving the Cradle of Humankind Heritage Site near Krugersdorp. Like Pretoria and Johannesburg, Soweto is a popular tourist destination. It is estimated that some 1.000 foreign tourists visit Soweto every day. The two-bedroom house where former President Nelson Mandela lived before his incarceration has been converted into a museum and is worth visiting. |
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KwaZulu-Natal
Also known as the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal is a many splenored interaction of natural wonders, ultra-modern facilities, fascinating cultural imprints and reminders of a dynamic history in a breathtaking beautiful and varied setting. The Tourist Junction in Durban's historical station building provides access to tourist information, accommodation bookings for Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (formerly KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service) and South African National Parks, and theatre bookings. Pietermaritzburg and Ulundi are joint capitals of the province. 1999, the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park was declared a World Heritage Site. |
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