Why Gauteng?

Perfect filming locations in South Africa

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of the highveld, the province of Gauteng is both the smallest of South Africa's provinces and the most economically significant. Though it covers less than two percent of the country's landmass, the province is home to three major urban centres and boasts a variety of peoples, cultures and locations that is vastly disproportionate to its size. As the economic hub of South Africa, Gauteng is a major force in the financial, telecommunication, transport and technology sectors. Strong infrastructure, plentiful resources and services have made the province the logical choice as the gateway to the African continent.

The large, vibrant and multi-cultural population has played a large part in developing a striking melting pot of influences. Gauteng's people have helped found the dynamic fashion, music, entertainment and media industries that have made the province South Africa's cultural epicentre. With such well-developed economic and cultural resources, Gauteng is fast becoming the continent's aspirational capital, akin to Sao Paulo and New York.

In addition to this wealth of people and infrastructure the province offers a true wealth of locations. Along with the cityscapes of the major urban centres, Johannesburg and Pretoria, Gauteng offers some of the world's most pristine garden suburbs, while urban streetscapes flaunt a wealth of Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Modernist and International architectural styles. Outside of the cities a naturally rugged landscape, interspersed with agricultural farmland, predominates. The majestic Magaliesberg mountain range is a thirty minute drive from Johannesburg and offers distinctive scenic and dramatic vistas. Across much of the region gold mines and mining villages, both historic and operational, dot the landscape while undulating savannah-like grasslands and numerous nature reserves holding all manner of wildlife (including the 'Big Five') are within convenient reach. The extensive and well-preserved cave formations of Sterkfontein and Kromdraai are found within the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site of global significance.

With its cosmopolitan cities and the large variety of cultural influences that have gone into forming its urban fabric, Gauteng offers perfect locations, year round.