Johannesburg Property | Gauteng

Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng, which happens to be the smallest, yet most populous of all South Africa’s nine provinces.  Nicknamed ‘egoli’ or ‘place of gold’ by the locals, this bustling urban centre dates back to 1886 when the Witwatersrand gold reef was first discovered, which set off a gold rush in the Transvaal, as it was known then.  While the gold deposits have largely run out today, the city continues to be the driving force behind the South African economy, with commercial, retail and industrial districts swiftly replacing the gold mines.

Johannesburg is by far the biggest city in sub-Saharan Africa and reputedly the largest inland city in the world, sprawling out over 2500 square kilometres.  The existing and developing architecture in the city is a literal feast for the eyes, with a range of old Victorian and Edwardian buildings tucked in amongst towering modern skyscrapers.  Also synonymous with the rising levels of crime in South Africa, things do seem to be changing with the uniformed security guards and cameras protecting the Central Improvement District and various targeted areas.