BlueGnu - all about South Africa - towns, places of interest, animals and plants

The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Gauteng towns and suburbs

Akasia
Bapsfontein
Chantelle
De Deur
Devon
Dunnottar
Kliprivier
Linksfield
Melville
North Riding
Norwood
Orange Grove
Welbekend

Akasia - Afrikaans name: Akasia

Akasia

Photo © Steven Herbert

Akasia is situated north-west of Pretoria. The land that it occupies was historically used for agricultural purposes but since its small start in 1904 it has grown to be a significant manufacturing area with a number of residential suburbs.

Rosslyn is a significant industrial area that provides jobs for many of the residents of Akasia. Tow of the main companies located in the area are Nissan South Africa and BMW South Africa. Each year a large number of motor vehicles are produced by these two plants.

The Magaliesberg "mountains" form a pleasing backdrop along the southern edge of the town.

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Bapsfontein - Afrikaans name: Bapsfontein

Bapsfontein

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Despite its proximity to major urban areas Bapsfontein maintains a rural village lifestyle.

The town is surrounded by rolling grasslands and the region is a fertile farming area. Various crops and vegetables are grown.

The grasslands and many rivers, streams and pans make for good bird-watching and birders are regular visitors to the area. It is also popular for horse-riding.

There are a number of farms near Bapsfontein that offer various types of accommodation.

Many people remember the old Bapsfontein Hotel with great fondness as it was a centre point for Country and Western Music, dances and much more.

A shopping centre in Bapsfontein

Photo © Johan van Zyl

In its day the Bapsfontein Hotel was a popular venue for Country and Western music in South Africa

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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Chantelle - Afrikaans name: Chantelle

Chantelle

Photo © Steven Herbert

Chantelle is a small, predominently residential area, that forms part of Akasia. It has a population of around 5,000. Many of the residents work in the nearby industrial area Rosslyn.

It is located to the north west of Pretoria.

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De Deur - Afrikaans name: De Deur

De Deur

Photo © Johan van Zyl

De Deur is a small village located near Vereeniging in Gauteng.

It is known for its weekly flea market which attracts visitors from far afield.

There are a number of accommodation options in and around De Deur.

Dutch Reformed Church (1967)

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Car dealership

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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Devon - Afrikaans name: Devon

Devon

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Devon is a village situated on the eastern border of the Gauteng province. It is named after the English county which is where the surveyor who laid out the town originally came from.

The grasslands near Devon are home to some threatened species of birds and have been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Large flocks of Blue Cranes arrive in the area in winter. Other species of interest are Blue Korhaan, Secretarybird, Black Harrier and Blackwinged Pratincole.

Farmers Association Hall

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Old tractors outside a workshop

Photo © Johan van Zyl

A collection of shops in Devon

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Cosmos flowers line the fields near Devon

Photo © Johan van Zyl

References and further reading

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Year Published: 1995 - Page: 172

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 20

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Dunnottar - Afrikaans name: Dunnottar

A static display of a Harvard III in Dunnottar

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Gauteng

Dunnottar is a small settlement on the outskirts of Nigel in Gauteng province.

There are a number of birding spots in the surrounding area including Marievale Bird Sanctuary.

Dunnottar Hotel

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Dunnottar shops

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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Kliprivier - Afrikaans name: Kliprivier

Kliprivier

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Kliprivier is a small settlement located between Vereeniging and Henley on Klip.

The main item of interest to a visitor is the "Witkop Blockhouse". This blockhouse was built by the British army during the Anglo-Boer war and is one of around 50 left in South Africa. Sadly it, and the surrounding area, have not been well maintained and the state of the Witkop Blockhouse is of concern to many locals.

Witkop Blockhouse

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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Linksfield - Afrikaans name: Linksfield

Linksfield with Sandton City in the background

Photo © Johan van Zyl

The town of Linksfield forms parts of the greater Johannesburg area. Many of the residents commute to work in Johannesburg and surrounding areas.

Linksfield is mainly a residential town and has many upmarket properties. There are plenty of malls and other facilities nearby. The OR Tambo airport is about 15 minutes away.

Attractions in the Linksfield area include Bruma Lake and a number of golf courses.

The town is situated in a convenient position to access many of the attractions in the Gauteng area.

Suburban area

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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Melville - Afrikaans name: Melville

Melville

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Melville is a suburb of Johannesburg and is known for its many trendy restaurants and pubs.

The University of the Witwatersrand in located nearby and students are a common sight in the area.

One of the more unusual features in Melville is that many of the pubs and restaurants are still located on the main streets and not in malls as is the trend nowadays.

Melville is well-situated for tourists and there is plenty of accommodation available.

A visit to the Melville Koppies Nature Reserve is well worth it. Besides the many birds and animals that may be seen there are great views over the city.

Above - Dutch Reformed Church

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Suburban area

Photo © Johan van Zyl

Above - Decorated tree in a suburb

Photo © Johan van Zyl

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North Riding - Afrikaans name: North Riding

North Riding

North Riding is a residential area of Randburg which, in turn, is part of Johannesburg. The area used to be known for its stables and equestrian pursuits but it is now a busy residential area.

The area got its name from one of the subdivisions of Yorkshire, England, going back hundreds of years.

North Riding is serviced by two main roads; Witkoppen Road and Malibongwe Drive. The Dome concert venue is nearby.

References and further reading

Things ewe never kn'ewe about South African place names - Author: Ann Gadd - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 154

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Norwood - Afrikaans name: Norwood

Norwood

Norwood is a suburb of Johannesburg and it is known for its old homes, diverse cultures and good restaurants.

A number of homes built in the 1920's and 1930's still survive and have beautiful gardens adding to the beauty of Norwood.

There are many well-known and highly rated restaurants in the area. Many of them are located in Grant Avenue which has a vibrant atmosphere. There are also a number of coffee bars and boutiques.

Residents in Norwood represent many different cultures including Muslim, West African and Jewish.

Norwood takes pride in its 'safe' environment which allows people to enjoy a quiet and more laidback style of life. The community policing programme assists in maintaining the security of the area.

Above - Street cafe in Norwood

Above - St Luke's Anglican Church

Above - CBD area

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Orange Grove - Afrikaans name: Orange Grove

Orange Grove

Orange Grove is one of the oldest suburbs of Johannesburg. It was originally known as "Lemoen Plaas" which is Afrikaans for "Orange Farm".

The name originates from orange trees that were planted in the area by J.C. Esterhuizen.

Orange Grove has had an Italian influence since the 1960's when it was known as "Little Italy" because of the high number of Italian immigrants that set up home in the area.

On the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and 9th Street is the Radium Beerhall which is believed to be one of the oldest pubs in the Johannesburg area. It started out as a tea room but was run as a beerhall since the 1940's.

Above - Busy street in Orange Grove

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Welbekend - Afrikaans name: Welbekend

Welbekend

The village of Welbekend is located at the junction of the R25 and M30 in eastern Gauteng. These roads are quite busy but I don't thing that too many drivers take notice of the small village as the race by.

The name Welbekend is Afrikaans for "well known" although I have been able to find out what it is well known for! The most obvious buildings are a filling station and church.

The surrounding area is good farming land and farms with cattle, sheep and other livestock can be seen.

Above - Welbekend is a farming community

Above - Wellknown Christian Centre

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