Sedibeng – a uniquely South African experience

THE Sedibeng region
is attracting travellers
from around the country
because it offers something
new – a fun-filled holiday mixed
with a cultural experience that
is uniquely South African.
This is the opinion of BON
Hotel Riviera on Vaal gm, Craig
Swart, who was speaking
to TNW on the sidelines of
a recent media trip to the
Sedibeng district. He said the
Vaal region in particular had
enjoyed immense growth over
the past three years. “I am
always shocked to see people
who have left the beach to
come to the Vaal, but they are
looking for something different
and they like that peaceful
element that comes with
spending a few days alongside
a dam.”
The more popular dams
in Gauteng, such as
Hartbeesport, were becoming
overcrowded said Craig, which
didn’t typically suit visitors to
the Vaal, who looked to escape
the crowd.
What to do...
Adventure seekers or teambuilding
and incentive groups
are well suited to a getaway
in the Vaal. “There is a wide
range of watersports on offer
on the banks of the Vaal,
Klip and Suikerbos rivers
that adventure travellers will
enjoy – from wake-boarding to
tubing, jetskiing, power-boating,
rubber-ducking and river
rafting,” said Gauteng Tourism
Authority senior manager of
Destination and Corporate
Communications, Barba
Gaoganediwe.
Hotels on the banks of the
rivers, such as the BON Hotel
Riviera on Vaal, offered guests
the option of enjoying a picnic
alongside the river, he added.
“That is great for team building
or just a tranquil leisure
holiday.”
A mere 40 minutes south of
Johannesburg, the Sedibeng
region also offers quick and
easy access for travellers who
want to enjoy a bit of the city
or the nightlife. “And then to tie
in a cultural aspect, travellers
can also experience the history
of Sharpeville by embarking on
the Sharpeville Struggle Route
Tour,” Barba said.
Sharpeville, just outside
Vereeniging and infamous
for the 1960 Sharpeville
Massacre, is one of the oldest
townships in the Sedibeng
region.
“The Struggle Route
experience includes visits
to the Sylviavale Heritage
Museum, which features a
collection of vintage cars
and other transportation
devices from the 1930s and
1940s – many of which are
still operational – before
birdwatching on the Dlomo
Dam, also known as Leeukuil
Pan, just outside Sharpeville,”
Barba commented.
Boat rides are also available
for visitors who would enjoy
a lunch while cruising on the
Dlomo Dam. “Travellers can
end their Sedibeng adventure
at the Sharpeville Memorial,
which takes visitors on an
emotional tour remembering
one of the events that shaped
our modern democracy,”
Barba said.