Ekurhuleni: Wetlands, remembrance and culture

A curved, contemplative path with benches beneath a canopy of trees is a defining feature of the Chris Hani Memorial and Walk of Remembrance in Boksburg. The national heritage site commemorates Chris Hani’s life, work and sacrifice, as well as his contribution to a free and democratic South Africa. In Ekurhuleni, museums, wetlands and leisure activities complement this focus on remembrance.

Memorial Sites, Museums and Aviation History

Another historical highlight is the O.R. Tambo Cultural Precinct in Wattville, Benoni. The Tambos lived there during their struggle against apartheid. At the precinct, the O.R. Tambo Narrative Centre interprets O.R. Tambo’s life and legacy through exhibitions. The precinct also includes the Environmental Education Centre. It offers schoolchildren an out-of-school learning experience; classrooms and laboratories are used for talks and practical experiments.

The Benoni Museum takes a different approach, presenting the history of Benoni and the mining sector, as well as African musical instruments and basic household items from African homes. In Germiston, the South African Airways Museum Society preserves the history of South African aviation from its beginnings to the jet age. These diverse historical themes sit side by side: local and mining history, O.R. Tambo’s legacy and South African aviation.

Wetlands and Birdlife

The Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve near Nigel is a 1,800-hectare freshwater ecosystem and a designated Ramsar site in Ekurhuleni. At the southern end of the Blesbokspruit Ramsar site lies the Marievale Bird Sanctuary, home to more than 280 bird species. The wetland’s ecology supports significant populations of waterbirds and other wetland species throughout the year.

Rondebult Bird Sanctuary offers a different focus: it is a 95-hectare system of water basins and an important habitat for native waterbirds. The area is also a popular destination for school groups on educational trips about wetland conservation. Marievale is distinguished by its variety of bird species, while Rondebult also stands out for its water basins and educational trips focused on wetland conservation.

Water Activities and Leisure

Germiston Lake offers opportunities for sailing, canoeing, fishing and rowing. Wild Waters in Boksburg offers a different kind of water-based fun: its Supertube is 500 metres long, and there is also a white-water slide where bodyboards can be used. Quieter pools and smaller slides are available for children. You can choose between activities on the lake and the slides at Wild Waters.

At the family-friendly Bunny Park, visitors can see rabbits as well as goats, sheep, geese and pigs. The park also has a children’s playground and a picnic area. It provides another leisure option alongside the water-based attractions.

Choose a Hotel Location Based on Your Travel Interests

Boksburg, Benoni, Wattville, Germiston and Nigel provide specific locations for the destinations described. Choose your hotel location based on the visits that matter most to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Brakpan, Vosloorus, Nigel, Benoni, City Of Johannesburg, Pretoria, West Rand, East Rand.

For the broader travel overview: Gauteng.