2010 World Cup City Guide: Rustenburg

looks at the all of the host cities for the 2010 World Cup. This is Rustenburg...

















RUSTENBURG - The Coach Restaurant on a modified train at Orion Safari Lodge

Situated in North West province
· 120km north west of Johannesburg
· Area of rich mineral deposits and mines
· City dates back to 1905 and the Nel brothers
· Town near to the Sun City casino complex
· Population around 130,000
· Located in the north west of South Africa
· Mining centre and tourist base

If your team are to be involved in fixtures in Rustenburg, it is definitely worthwhile spending a couple of days in and around this pleasant town situated 120 kilometres north west of Johannesburg.

Now a prosperous agricultural, mining and tourist region, it is a wealthy, cosmopolitan town.

Stadium















The Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace

Rustenburg's World Cup stadium - the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace - is a modern structure built in 1999 and required minimal upgrade to attain FIFA’s standards. It is a 42,000 seater venue which will host first and second round games. The stadium is situated in the small town of Phokeng, 15 kilometres north west of Rustenburg, en route to Sun City.

Places of Interest

Rustenburg Nature Reserve, 3.000 hectares in extent, is situated to the south of the town, at the western edge of the Magaliesberg mountain range and is home to many protected and rare plants, antelope, hyena, jackal and leopard.















Kgaswane Mountain Reserve

Boekenhoutfontein, the farm, built in the mid 1800s , belonged to President Paul Kruger. Some of the original buildings have been pleasantly preserved.

Rustenburg Museum is situated in the town centre and houses many items relating back to the early Boer settlers.

Further afield, 38 kilometres to the north of the town, is the Pilansberg National Park which is the third largest game park - 500 square kilometres - south of the Limpopo River.

Situated in a series of volcanic craters with Lake Mankwe in its centre, the reserve is home to the big five animals, plus hippo, giraffe, cheetah, the full range of antelope and over 300 species of birds. A fantastic central lookout post - Lenong - overlooks the lake and much of the park.

There is ample accommodation in the park from camping sites to luxury lodges. As at all game parks early booking is essential.















Come And Relax At Sun City

Just to the south of the Game Reserve en route to the soccer stadium and Rustenburg is the "Las Vegas" of South Africa - Sun City, a huge entertainment and accommodation complex which houses arguably South Africa’s largest casino complex, nightclubs, cinemas, concert venues, two championship golf courses, an artificial wave-pool beach, lush botanical gardens, a crocodile park, a waterworld for parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing and kite boarding, the Disney-inspired Lost City, balloon flights over the game reserve and four five-star hotel complexes which even in off-peak times are expensive and fully booked.

Whether you enjoy the wilds and open spaces of Africa or the artificial man-made attractions of Sun City, it is well worth spending a couple of days in the area, between fixtures.















The Lost City Golf Course

Tourist Offices

The Rustenburg Tourist Information Center (Tel: 014 597 0904) is on Main Road (7.30am-5pm; Mon-Fri; 8am-1pm Sat).















Rustenburg Tourism Centre

Getting There

Air - There is a small airport close to Sun City - Pilanesberg Airport which receives flights from Durban, Johannesburg, and from Cape Town.

Rail - There is a train service from Pretoria.

Bus - From Johannesburg and Pretoria it is less than 120 kilometres to Rustenburg along the N4 , take your time and enjoy the scenery of the Magaliesberg mountains and the array of fruit and African craft and stone sculpture stalls along the way.















Scenic Natural Views On The Road To Rustenburg

From the south, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth, one can circumnavigate Johannesburg by turning on to the R 76 at Kroonstad and driving through Klerksdorp, Ventersdorp and Derby. The roads are excellent, and carry few vehicles. Luxury coaches connect Rustenburg to Johannesburg, Pretoria (four hours) and Windhoek in Namibia and Gaborone in Botswana.

Getting Around

The minibus taxi park is behind Nelspruit Plaza with destinations including White River (20 mins), Barberton (40 mins), Sabie (60 mins), Hazyview (60 mins), Graskop (90 mins) and Komatipoort (2 hours).

Football

Rustenburg does not technically have a PSL team residing in the city, as Platinum Stars, named for the Platinum in the area are based in Johannesburg, but their home ground is considered to be the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg where they play the majority of their home encounters.















Platinum Stars

Weather

The weather during the day time should be pleasant, anything between 20 and 25 degrees Centigrade - warm enough for sunbathing on the artificial beach, but cold at night. Normally one would expect no rain over the World Cup period.















Water Slide At Kloof Holiday Resort

2010 World Cup City Guide: Nelspruit

takes a look at one of the smaller host cities for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Nelspruit.

















Pilgrim's Rest - Nelspruit - South Africa

Nelspruit

Facts

* capital and largest town of the Mpumalanga province (previously Eastern Transvaal)
* 330km east of Johannesburg and 100km west of Mozambique
* ideal climate for the area's fruit cultivation
* city dates back to 1905 and the Nel brothers
* town lies in the fertile Crocodile River valley
* population around 235,000
* located in the east of South Africa
* agricultural center and tourist base
* Situated in Mpumalanga to the very east of the country

Nelspruit is the centre of the Safari and wildlife industry of South Africa. There is plenty to see, plenty to do in and around Nelspruit.

Stadium

The new 43,000 seater stadium for the World Cup is complete. It is situated in an area of Mbombela which is 7 kilometres to the north of the city centre and in the general direction of the Kruger Park entrance gates.

The video below was filmed in June 2009.


The stadium was completed in October 2009.















Mbombela Stadium

Places of interest

Nelspruit is a major victualling point for the private and national game parks and ranches in the area and many a beaten up Land Rover and khaki-clad game ranger, intent on their purchase of stores and spare parts, can be seen around the town.















Kruger National Park

It is 50 kilometres to the southern entrances of Kruger National Game Park -so famous, it has its own page.

Animal rehabilitation projects and parks also abound in the region, namely:

The Crocodile Enviro Park, just to the north east of the city, the largest reptile and crocodile park in Africa. Besides the crocodile pits and enclosures there is a Turtle Pond and Fish Pond linked by cascading waterways. The park is on the banks of the Crocodile River and offers tropical gardens and riverside trails.

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre - one of the original projects established to save the magnificent, but endangered cheetah. Their are also different orphaned baby animals of various kinds, wild cats, vultures and elephant back safaris at the centre.

South Africa | Cheetah Reserve

Dullstroom Bird of Prey and Rehabilitation Centre is west of Nelspruit en route from Pretoria. One can watch flight demonstrations daily of eagles, falcons and hawks, and view and handle various species.

Nelspruit | Downtown

Mac-Mac Falls, named by Scottish gold diggers to the area, and situated 40 kilometres north of Nelspruit near the town of Sabie, are an awesome sight and offer a refreshing swim in the pools below.

The Sudwala Caves, are among the oldest known caves in the world, dating back 300 million years. In the past they were used as a refuge by Swazi kings against marauding Zulu raiders, and they are now open to the public. Situated 30 kilometres north west of Nelspruit.

Within the city and on the edge of the Crocodile River there are the 150 acres of the Nelspruit Botanical Gardens - home to 2,500 plant species and 650 tree species. The Nelspruit Falls lie within the gardens and midday concerts are held near by.

Going Out

Night life in Nelspruit is not prolific, though there are some good and original pubs frequented by hardy game rangers and modern day prospectors.

You can try The Pub on 10 Jones Street (013 7554861) for decent beer and a good old-fashioned Afrikaans drinking hole and pub food.

Nelspruit | Pork Chops, Chips And Beer In 'The Pub'

Just a five minute walk away is The Keg & Jock. This is the best pub in the city (01 3-755 4969; Ferriera St) and big enough to hold a good number of football fans. There is lots of seating and standing room both inside and out, an impressive pub menu and a good selection of draught beers.















Nelspruit | A June Evening In The Keg & Jock

You can also try a pub called Why Not? if you like good beer and dubious eighties rock music. This is situated on the right side of the street just after you enter the city (from Joburg), just after the Mercure Hotel Suites - a good place to stay.

Tourist Offices

The Lowveld Tourism Center (Tel: 013 755 1988) is in the Nelspruit Crossing Mall on Louis Trichard Street.

The Mozambique Consulate (Tel: 013 752 7396) is on Bell Street and does same-day visas.

Getting There

Air - Just to the north east of the city the local airport, Mpumalanga Kruger International Airport (Tel: 013 753 7500) connects internally with Johannesburg (one hour), Durban (90 minutes) and Cape Town (2 hours).

Maputo Airport in Mozambique is growing, and presently accepts flight from Lisbon, Mauritius and Paris.

Rail - There is an overnight train service (Komati) to and from Johannesburg which takes 10 hours.

Bus - Nelspruit is situated on the eastern edge of South Africa close to the border with Mozambique and Swaziland. Mozambique’s capital Maputo is a long 160 kilometres distant but does have excellent beaches, scuba diving and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

The N4 national route, both from Pretoria and Johannesburg, is an excellent road all the way through to Nelspruit and involves 6 hours driving.

Road travellers from Durban should take the N3 to Ermelo, then continue north on the N11 before joining the N4. Alternatively, from Ermelo they can turn head towards Carolina, the mineral springs at Badplaas and continue north through the mountain passes of Nelshoogte and Bothasnek.

Luxury coaches travel the N4 route which connects to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Maputo but be careful of travelling on June 25. This is Mozambique's Independence Day when border crossings will take a much longer time than usual and buses back to Joburg from Nelspruit (originating in Maputo) will be late.

If football fixtures dictate that your team is playing consecutively in Polokwane and Nelspruit consider driving north through the Kruger Park to Klaserie, passing Timbavati, home of the white lions, and Hoedspruit, which is also a safari supply centre, and then turn inland to Polokwane, all on very good roads through more wild life parks.















Stop Over At Pilgrim's Rest

Getting Around

The minibus taxi park is behind Nelspruit Plaza with destinations including White River (20 mins), Barberton (40 mins), Sabie (60 mins), Hazyview (60 mins), Graskop (90 mins) and Komatipoort (2 hours).

There are a number of private taxi firms which can be called from every hotel.

Football Teams

The South African professional football season runs from September to May, and currently no teams in the area take part in the top flight, the PSL.















The Three Rondavels

Weather

The climate around Nelspruit, in the winter time, is mild with day time temperatures rarely going below 18 degrees Centigrade. There should be no rain at the time of the World Cup.

2010 World Cup City Guide: Polokwane

Takes a look at one of the World Cup venues for the 2010 finals in South Africa. Here's our guide to Polokwane.

























The beauty of nature in Polokwane - South Africa

Facts

* capital of Limpopo province (previously Northern Province)
* 250km north east of Pretoria
* town previously called Pietersburg
* city dates back to 1886 and the Voortrekkers
* commercial and agricultural centre
* population around 140,000
* located in the north east of South Africa
* one of South Africa's safest cities

Polokwane, in Limpopo province, lies on the Great North Road to Zimbabwe. The most northern of South Africa's World Cup venues, it is situated just south of the Tropic of Capricorn, and is 250 kilometres from Pretoria.














The Peter Mokaba Stadium Is A World Class Venue



Stadium

The smallest host city in the competition, Polokwane will be the venue for Group 1 matches. The Peter Mokaba Stadium, situated just to the south of the Central Business District, is The Peter Mokaba Stadium is the first world class football venue in the sport-mad province of Limpopo. Four two tier stands bring the seating capacity to 46,000. Peter Mokaba Stadium is named after the late Peter Mokaba, a controversial anti-apartheid activist who was born in Polokwane.

Places of interest

The Afrikaners have had a major influence in the area and it is mostly their language you will hear spoken in the streets. Polokwane was previously known as Pietersburg, and named after Voortrekker hero General Piet Joubert. The town was the temporary capital of the old Transvaal Republic during the Anglo-Boer War. It is now a neat and thriving agricultural and commercial centre for the area.















The Hugh Exton Museum


There are two interesting museums in the centre of the city: one containing works of photographer Hugh Exton and the second, situated in a Victorian building known as the Irish House, shows the cultural history of the region.















Irish House

To the south of the city, in the vicinity of the football stadium, is the fine Pietersberg Golf Club, which had Retief Goosen as its member before his success on the professional circuit.

Beyond the golf club is the Polowane Nature Reserve, over 3,200 hectares of land which are inhabited by white rhino, giraffe, zebra, all the types of South African antelope and over 200 bird species.















The Beauty Of The Polokwane Nature Reserve


The Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum (Tel: 015 295 2432) is a museum and living tribal village representing the Northern Sotho people and showing metal smelting and paintings dating back to 1,000 CE, is situated along the same road 9km from Polokwane on Route 37 to Chuniespoort.















The World's Largest Baobab Tree


The area is rich in agricultural produce being a fine cattle breeding region and offering a diverse range of crops: deciduous fruit, coffee, cotton and maize. Polokwane is situated midway between the mid-section of the Kruger Park, 150 kilometres to the east, and the game parks of the Waterberg Mountain range 100 kilometres to the south west.

Both park areas are home to the "Big 5" animals - lions, elephants, black rhinos, leopards and cape buffaloes. By taking a roundabout route, the game parks could be visited en route from Pretoria to Polokwane, and on the same journey visit Warmbaths, with its healthy hot mineral springs and baths – ideal for a swim in winter - and the huge Makapans Cave, just east of Potgietersrus (Mokopane), scene of a 30 day siege by Afrikaners on the local Tlou tribe, which left 1,500 tribespeople dead from starvation.















A Pub In Polokwane


With large numbers of nature reserves and game parks in the region, there is a plentiful supply of accommodation both in the city and surrounds, not so much of the five star international variety, but offering more of a local African feel.

Getting There

Air - Polokwane Airport (Tel: 015 288 0122) is 5km north of town and has flights from Johannesburg.















Polokwane International Airport


Rail - The Bosvelder train service from Johannesburg (8 hours) to Musina (7 hours) near the Zimbabwe border passes through Polokwane daily.

Bus - There are services to Pretoria (3 hours 30 mins) and Johannesburg (4 hours 30 mins). There are also international services to Harare, Zimbabwe (12 hours) and Lusaka, Zambia (24 hours).

Getting Around

The minibus taxi park is on the corner of Devenish Street and President Kruger Street.

Football Teams

Winners Park play in all blue at the 15,000 capacity Seshego Stadium in Polokwane and are presently in the Mvela Golden League - the second tier of South African pro-football.















Locals Playing Football In A Park


Weather

The climate is mild in winter and daytime temperatures should average around the mid-20 degrees Centigrade mark. Night times can be cold. Very little rain is expected during the World Cup.

2010 World Cup City Guide: Bloemfontein

takes a look at the City of Roses as the World Cup fast approaches. This is Bloemfontein...



















Provincial Government House in Bloemfontein - South Africa















The City Of Roses

Facts

- provincial capital of Free State Province
- 500,000 inhabitants
- fifth largest city in South Africa
- translates from the Afrikaans as 'fountain of flowers'
- city dates back to 1840s
- 1,395m above sea level
- known as the 'City of Roses' or Mangaung,'place where cheetahs dwell' in Sotho
- located in the centre of South Africa
- relaxed, though lively, university town

Bloemfontein, situated in the middle of the country on the major N 1 route is 400 kilometres from Johannesburg, 630 kilometres from Durban, 680 kilometres from Port Elizabeth and 1000 kilometres from Cape Town.

Bloemfontein known as the 'City of Roses' due to over 4,000 rose bushes growing in the centrally situated Kings Park and the annual rose festival held in town. Bloemfontein is the judicial capital of South Africa being home to the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.















The Supreme Court Of Appeal

The city grew in the mid 1800s as the capital of the Orange Free State by the Boers who trekked from British dominance in the Cape.

A compact city with under half a million inhabitants, it is recognised locally for its love of sport - mainly rugby. Well known local schools, colleges and the university have produced many international players.

Stadium

The 2010 World Cup matches will be played in the modern Free State Stadium which is presently used for international (and local) rugby matches and seats 48,000.















Free State Stadium Will Host Matches

Places of interest

The major sports facilities including the Free State Stadium are situated close to the centre of the city in a park-like environment. The area includes the international cricket ground, Olympic size swimming pool, Kings Park with the expansive Bloemfontein Zoo - known for its collection of primates, President Swart Park and the Loch Logan Waterfront.

Loch Logan Waterfront is an entertainment complex situated around a large lake and offers water sports, restaurants, bistros, theatres, cinemas, shops and a craft market. The area is relaxing place to spend time in the city.















The Loch Logan Waterfront

All the Loch Logan Waterfront facilities are within two kilometres of the Free State stadium to the west while the city centre to the east is about the same distance away. En route to the CBD.

One can find the National Museum, First Raadsaal (Parliament), the Wagon Museum, the Agricultural Museum, the General Hertzog House, City Hall and the area around historical President Brand Street which is now a national conservation area.

Bloemfontein's most famous museum is the Oliewenhuis Art Museum (Tel: 051 447 9609) at 16 Harry Smith Street is a 1930s mansion for the Governor General of South Africa and holds a collection of South African art.

Naval Hill just to the north of the city centre is a 200 hundred hectare park with tremendous views of the city and surrounding plains. Within the park there is a small game park with giraffes, zebras and many species of buck. The old observatory in the park is now a small theatre. The modern tropical Orchid House is situated just to the west of Naval Hill and the Botanical Gardens are in the same area.















Provincial Government House in Bloemfontein

Within a day's return drive of the city you can consider visiting Kimberley, 180 kilometres to the west, the diamond centre of the world, where you can visit the "Big Hole" scene of the diamond digging frenzy of the mid 1800s, and the reconstructed diamond mining village close by.

One hundred and fifty kilometres to the east of Bloemfontein lies Maseru the capital of the dramatic mountain country of Lesotho. En route you pass the casino resort of Thabu Nchu.

The countryside in the eastern part of the eastern Free State is a maze of mountain passes, rolling pasturelands, rivers and the occasional site of ancient cave rock paintings.

Accommodation

More than most cities, accommodation in Bloemfontein could be a problem - it certainly was during the Confederations Cup when there was not a bed to be had.

While the situation is improving all the time, it is best to book early.















Downtown Bloemfontein

There are three and four star modern 'corporate' hotels and some very good guest houses and plenty of standard hotels and self catering establishments exist close to the stadium.

Some guest houses can be out of the way but can provide great breakfasts and excellent football conversation with fans from the four corners of the earth.

On the edge of the city there are good value lodges and resorts.

Going Out

The aforementioned Loch Logan Waterfront is full of restaurants that serve alcohol.

Most of these places are chain restaurants and the more adventurous among you may want to try some of the local shebeens that can be found in front of the tourist office immediately to the south of the stadium - these are great places to watch Bafana Bafana in action.

Goal.com was beseiged on the street around here by hundreds of fans who emerged from the bars to dance on the street following South Africa's Confederations Cup win against New Zealand.















Nightlife In Bloemfontein

There are a number of popular pubs on and around Second Avenue located to the north of the stadium, past Loch Logan. These include Mystic Boer on Kellner St, Workshop Roadside Cafe on the corner of 2nd Avenue and President Reitz St.

Tourist Offices

The Information Center (Tel: 051 405 8489; 8am-4.15pm Mon-Fri; 8am-noon Sat) is at 60 Park Road.

There is also a tourist centre on Park Road near the bus station.

Getting There and Getting Around

Bloemfontein is in the centre of the country surrounded by vast agricultural lands ideal for cattle farming and growing maize.

It is on the major route between Cape Town and Johannesburg (and other northern cities), between Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, and between the inland route Cape Town to Durban.

Air - 10 kilometres to the east of the city Bloemfontein Airport (Tel: 051-433 2001) handles regular passenger aircraft from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Private taxi is the best option at present to the city centre.















Bloemfontein Airport

Rail - The railway station is in the centre of the city to the east of King's Park. The Shosholoza Meyl overnight train runs between Jo'burg and Durban via Bloemfontein. The Algoa travels between Johannesburg (7 hours) and Port Elizabeth. The Amatola also goes via Bloemfontein between Johannesburg and East London. The Diamond Express is another train service to Johannesburg.

Bus - The main luxury coach companies have a bus station in the city near the tourist center and connect those cities and areas to the west. There are daily buses to Durban (9 hours), Johannesburg and Pretoria (5 hours), Port Elizabeth (9 hours), East London (7 hours), Cape Town (10 hours) and Knysa (12 hours). There are other bus services to Thabu Nchu casino (1 hour) and Maseru in Lesotho (3 hours).















Taxi - T&M Taxis based in the centre of the city are a good and reliable bet. The taxi office is based in the city's tourist office which is conveniently located right next to the stadium.

Football

Local team Bloemfontein Celtic presently play in the South African Premier Soccer League. The teams shirts are the green and white hoops of Scotland Glasgow Celtic. Celtic play at Free State Stadium, aka Vodacom Park Stadium, which will have a capacity of 48,000 by 2010. The South African professional soccer season runs from September to May.















Residents Are Passionate About Bloemfontein Celtic

The team is not the best supported in the league but the fans are famed throughout the nation for their passion and their ability to create an atmosphere. This was confirmed during the Confederations Cup - this is a great place to watch football and dance with the local fans.

Weather

With the influence of the Lesotho mountains, the Free State area has crisp winter nights with the temperature sometimes falling to freezing point. During the Confederations Cup, some mornings were accompanied by frost. The daytime temperatures can vary between 12 and 22 degrees Centigrade. There is minimal rainfall in winter.

2010 World Cup City Guide: Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth, or Nelson Mandela Bay, is one of the venues for the 2010 World Cup. Goal.com gives you a guide to the city.

















Main Library - Port Elizabeth - South Africa

Facts

* biggest city in Eastern Cape Province - 1.5 million inhabitants
* fifth largest city in South Africa
* centre of South Africa's motor vehicle industry
* city dates back to 1820s
* named after the wife of Rufane Shaw Donkin, 19th century governor of Cape Colony
* known as the 'Friendly City' or 'Windy City'
* located in the south east of South Africa

Port Elizabeth (PE), situated on the Eastern Cape coast, more or less half way between Cape Town and Durban, is known as the 'Friendly City'. Straddling Algoa Bay, Greater Port Elizabeth is now known as Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.















Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium


Stadium

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, set on the shores of the North End Lake is the first football dedicated stadium in the city or surrounding areas. The stadium, one of the newly-built venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, was completed a year prior to the commencement of the world's greatest show on earth - a major milestone for the city.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will host the match for third place , and a quarter-final amid a total of eight matches during the FIFA World Cup. The stadium has an eye-catching, unique roof-structure and a spectacular view, overlooking the North End Lake.















A World Class Venue

Places of interest

Port Elizabeth is small harbour city of 1.5 million people. The ocean with fine sandy beaches extends from the northern to the southern limits. Watersports play a large part in the lives of PE's inhabitants, with yachting, windsurfing, kite boarding and surfing being major pastimes.

Reminders of Port Elizabeth's colonial past are the stone Fort Frederick built in 1799 by British troops to defend the area against a possible attack by the French, and the Donkin Reserve.

For surfers, the legendary Jeffrey's Bay (J-Bay) and Cape St. Francis are one hour's drive south, attractive coastal villages with a laid back feel in their own right, they are doubly worthwhile visiting if the surf is up.















Beautiful Beaches

Another coastal village worth seeing is Sundays River, half an hour along the national road to the north of the city, where the river flows between giant sand dunes to the ocean.

In the same direction but inland is the fabulous Addo National Park (Tel: 042 223 0556), presently being extended, and home to the 'Big 5' wild animals. Elephant particularly are prolific in the park.

If you are going to watch a game in Port Elizabeth, Addo is a must. Game drives with expert rangers are available mostly at dawn and dusk - the best time for animal spotting. In fact, with its safari camps, Addo would be a great place to stay for a night or two, and driving time to the stadium is less than an hour.

Should you wish to bask in luxury there is a second, private, game reserve - Shamwari - 20 minutes north of Addo.

Still further along the coast to the north are the prestige seaside towns of Port Alfred and Kenton on Sea, which are about 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth. Port Alfred, in particular, is a pleasant town, with the wide Kowie River flowing past riverside homes and through a pristine residential marina to the sea.

Port Alfred was a port during the days of sailing ships, and the small wharf side warehouses can still be seen.















The Port Elizabeth Nightlife Is Vibrant

Port Elizabeth is a compact city and accommodation, from five star hotels to guest houses and hostels, is available close to the beaches, to the south east, in Humewood, which is 5 kilometres from the stadium, and Summerstrand, a little further beyond.

Slightly inland from Humewood is the lively suburb of Walmer, which also has good guest houses. The night life also tends to centre around these areas, with good pubs, restaurants and night clubs.















The Boardwalk Entertainment Complex

In Humewood there is the new lakeside Victorian style entertainment complex named the Boardwalk, which encompasses three and four star hotels, a Wellness centre, cinemas, restaurants, amphitheatre, children’s entertainments and a casino.

Within five minutes walk of the Boardwalk, in an area called Happy Valley, is the Oceanarium, where there is an excellent daily dolphin show. The Port Elizabeth Museum complex, which has displays relating to the 1820 settlers, is next door.















Art At The South End Museum

Tourist Offices

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (Tel: 041 585 8884; 08:00-16:30 Mon-Fri; 09:30-15:30 Sat & Sun) is housed in a historic lighthouse at Donkin Reserve overlooking the city.

Getting There

Air

Port Elizabeth has a domestic airport with daily flight connections to Cape Town International Airport, Johannesburg International Airport, Durban, Bloemfontein, East London and George (on the Garden Route ).

The airport is very centrally situated, close to the city centre (5 km), and the suburbs of Walmer and Humewood. The airport hopes to accommodate international flights by 2010.

Rail

The railway station is in the centre of the city and has good services to Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and the north. The Shosholoza Meyl overnight train runs to Jo'burg (18 hours) via Bloemfontein. The services to Cape Town and Durban are long and time consuming.

Bus

Luxury coaches connect PE to all the other World Cup venue cities, including Cape Town (12 hours), Johannesburg (15 hours) via East London (5 hours), Durban (15 hours) via Grahamstown (2 hours 30 minutes).















World Cup Host City Port Elizabeth

Getting Around

The recommendation would be to drive to Port Elizabeth, for whichever direction you are coming from there is beautiful and typically South African scenery along the way.

From Cape Town - travelling along the major N2 route, visitors pass through the renowned Garden Route which, situated between Mossel Bay and Humansdorp, takes in long sandy beaches, small coves, wild surf and gentle bays, the stunning lake districts around the Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna, the mountain passes of Grootriver and Blokraans (drivable but both now just off the main road), and the thick forests of Tsitsikama National Park, Natures Valley and Knysna.

En route it would be worth considering staying over at either the country’s beautiful premier seaside resort of Plettenberg Bay or the picturesque lagoon side town of Knysna, with its many craft shops and markets. There are first rate golf courses, some favoured by Ernie Els, who has his family home in this area. Slow drive time Cape Town to PE is about 10 hours.

From Durban - again on the N2 route you travel through the Transkei and Ciskei homelands of the Xhosa people. DAYTIME ONLY due to the number of cattle roaming freely along the road. Between Kokstad in the north and almost as far down as East London the countryside consists of green rolling hills with the Xhosa hut villages dotted far into the distance. This is the area were Nelson Mandela was born and raised. From East London you can take the coastal road through Port Alfred, or the main N2 route through the old university town of Grahamstown. Slow drive time Durban to PE is about 12 hours.

From Bloemfontein (and Johannesburg and Pretoria) - not the shortest route, but the most attractive. Take the N8 out of Bloemfontein towards Ladybrand and the Lesotho border. At Ladybrand turn south on the R26, the mountains of Lesotho to your left accompany you southwards while the road travels through rich farmland.

After crossing the Orange River at the old town of Aliwal North you enter the dryer typical Karoo landscape of bare rocky soil, which continues until the awesome Olifantskop Pass, after which you enter into the fertile fruit growing area leading down to the N2 route close to Sundays River. Slow drive time Bloemfontein to PE is 7 hours.

Football Teams

There are reports that South Africa's first soccer match took place in Port Elizabeth in the 1860s but the city has no teams as yet in the South African Premier League. Bay United play in the second-tier Mvela Golden League. The South African professional football season runs from September to May.















A Beautiful Sunset In Port Elizabeth

Weather

Port Elizabeth has a mild winter climate, with daytime temperatures in June and July averaging 21 degrees Centigrade, going down to 10 degrees Centigrade at night. There is normally some rain over the winter period.

2010 World Cup City Guide: Pretoria

One of the capitals of South Africa, Goal.com gives you the City Guide for the 'city of champions', Pretoria.

The City Of Pretoria

Facts

• administrative capital of South Africa - 1 million inhabitants
• 50km north of Johannesburg, in northern part of Gauteng Province
• city dates back to 1855, and is named for its founder, Marthinus Pretorius
• 1,370m above sea level
• Pretoria or Tshwane? A name change is debated frequently
• located in the central north east of South Africa
• industrial center and university town

Pretoria, the Jacaranda city, is a leafy city of wide avenues. It is also an old university town with typically vibrant music and arts scene. The population of the city is approximately one million people.

Stadium

Loftus Versfeld, the stadium which will play host to the 2010 event, is a modern international arena presently used by the rugby fraternity above all else.














Loftus Versfeld Stadium

First round games and the third place play-off game will be played in the stadium, which has been upgraded for the World Cup in order to hold 45,000 spectators.

Loftus Versfeld stadium

Depending on the World Cup fixture list, Pretoria, or its outskirts, is conveniently situated for use as a northern accommodation centre for first round matches due to its proximity to Polokwane (250 km), Rustenberg (120 km) and Johannesburg (58 km along a 3 lane highway). A smaller city, Pretoria has a cozier feel to it than its big city cousins down the road.

The stadium is 3 kilometres from the city centre and surrounded by the more pleasant eastern and university suburbs of Sunnyside, Arcadia and Hatfield. It is conveniently situated to the N4 major route, heading towards Nelspruit and the Kruger National Park, which in turn connects to the N1 route from Johannesburg, the airport, and southern cities.

Places of interest

Known historically as the bastion of conservative Afrikanerdom, Pretoria was the capital of the old South African Boer Republic before and during the Anglo-Boer war.

There are numerous reminders of that conflict around the city. Winston Churchill, after his capture in the Anglo-Boer war, was imprisoned in Staats Model School and escaped detention to flee to Mozambique.

The University of Pretoria, the largest in South Africa, has always been predominantly Afrikaans, but now the community has a modern, vibrant outlook on life.

Church Square, in the city centre, is the focal point of the civil service and is surrounded by many fine buildings, including the Raadsaal (parliament), Palace of Justice and old Reserve Bank. A statue of President (and Boer soldier) Paul Kruger dominates the centre.














Church Square Is A Popular Spot In Pretoria

Paul Kruger House Museum is Kruger's old house and now a national monument and interesting though cluttered museum.

One of the major sites, on Monument Hill to the south western edge of the city is the huge Voortrekker Monument, a tribute to the independence, courage and determination of the pioneers that left the Cape Province and travelled the 1,000 miles in their ox carts to escape British authority.














The Union Buildings

Situated on Roberts Heights, just to the north of Loftus Versfeld, overlooking the city, and housing the Presidency and Foreign Offices are the Union Buildings and terraced gardens. Cecil Rhodes appointed Sir Herbert Baker as the architect to design the buildings, which were completed in 1913, and which are still the administrative headquarters of the country.

Union Buildings

Built to commemorate the unification of the country, the two outer wings represent the Afrikaaner, and the English population. Other museums in Pretoria include the Museum of Anthropology and the not-for-the-faint-hearted South African Police Museum on Pretorius Street.

The Premier Diamond Mine at Cullinan, 30 kilometres east of Pretoria is renowned for the discovery of the largest gem diamond, 621 grams, ever found. It now comprises of 9 large stones (and many smaller "brilliants") , all part of the Crown Jewels or owned by the British Royal Family.

In the same area but more to the north is the Tswaing Crater, one of the best-preserved meteorite impact sites in the world. Visits to the crater rim and museum are available.















The Tswaing Crater

Pretoria Zoo is the largest zoo in South Africa and one of the ten best in the world. Situated north of the city centre it is renowned for its snake park and aquarium.

Going Out

Night life, including late night clubs, is centred around Hatfield, close to the stadium.

If you are going to the game, and even in you are not, a great place for a pre-match beer (and steak) is Eastwood's on the corner of Eastwood Street and Park Street. It is within spitting distance of the stadium.















Eastwoods Tavern

Centurion, a pleasant modern suburb, which is to the south of the city enroute to Johannesburg. Centurion has a vibrant waterfront area and a range of hotels and guest houses.

The Brazen Head Restaurant is a popular Irish pub situated in the Gateway Plaza at the corner of Old Johannesburg Road and Sarrel Baard Street.

Within easy range to the west are Magaliesberg Mountains and Hartbeespoort Dam. The mountains rise to almost 1800 metres and are a favourite venue for the climbers of the Johannesburg Mountain Club.














Eat Out In Pretoria

Conveniently situated for the World Cup venues of Rustenberg, Polkwane, Johannesburg and Pretoria, the mountain area is a protected nature zone and is home to over 300 species of bird life including hawks eagles and buzzards, and has a variety of wildlife from giraffe, buck, baboons, zebra and the occasional leopard.

The nightlife is one that is vibrant and varied, with a great deal to do in the city. Ranging from Centurion, Menyln, Kolonade to Wonderpark mall football fans are assured of a classic bar range with big screens to watch the game with a glass of a refreshing drink done in South African style. Snacks in these bars will include the proudly South African biltong, which is very popular in the capital city especially during rugby games.














Menlyn Shopping Mall

Church Square, which is the City’s focal point on rather the centre of this magnificent host city has hosted large crowds with a big screen during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Certainly in 2010 a massive screen will be there for everyone to watch on the comfort of the grass or their camp chairs.

On the outskirts of the City, away from loud engines and the smoke of cars fans can be guaranteed of a night of fun at the brilliant Casino known as Morula Sun. When you feel that the Casino atmosphere at Morula Sun is not quenching your thirst for the ultimate entertainment or you feel like you want to move what you mama gave you the ask for taxi to Taliban Club, or one of the many nightspots in the lively city.

Party animals or those whose day is incomplete without some good music, coupled with a cold beer, snacks and lots of entertainment don’t hesitate to ask for directions to Hatfield. There you will find the likes of the popular Zanzu Bar, Coffi Club, Cappelos and News Cafe to name but a few.














Have A Drink At News Cafe

Sunny Side’s popular Esselen Street will introduce you to the hardcore club scene. Ranging from the famous Times4, London Club and the wild Club Europa. Brooklyn Mall which houses the theatre of dreams for South Africa’s bests Hiphop artists and their work is one place you will enjoy if that is your thing. There are beautiful clubs and pubs but the Brooklyn Fashion TV is one place that will keep your body moving to some cranking music.

Tourist Offices

The Tourist Information Center (Tel: 012 358 1430) is in the Old Nederlandsche Bank Bldg. Church Square.

The HQ of the South African National Parks (Tel: 012 428 9111) is at 643 Leyds Street, New Muckleneuk.














Go For A Stroll In Freedom Park

Getting There

Air - OR Tambo International Airport lies to the north east of Johannesburg and is easily accessible from Pretoria. The route from the airport and cities to the south enter Pretoria along the N1 highway and join the N4 going east through the city to the World Cup stadium. OR Tambo International Airport (Tel: 011 921 6262) has direct air links with many cities in Europe including London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.

Rail - The inter city rail service into Pretoria connects to all major cities, and the new high speed Gautrain service, presently being built, will link the eastern suburbs of Pretoria to Johannesburg town centre, the International airport and Soweto, passing close to Soccer City and Ellis Park – the two Johannesburg match venues.

There are trains to Nelspruit via Pretoria (Komati), Cape Town (28 hours) via Kimberly (Trans Karoo) and Polokwane (Bosvelder). The luxury Blue Train begins in Pretoria for Jo'burg and Cape Town. Pretoria train station is in the east of the city south of Church Square.

Bus - The N4 highway enters Pretoria from Nelspruit and Kruger Park in the east and from Rustenberg and the Magaliesberg Mountains nature area in the west.

The N1 to the north of the city is the direct route to Polokwane, Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa. The N3 from Durban forms part of the eastern ring road of Johannesburg so one can drive around that city to get to Pretoria.

Luxury coach services link Pretoria with all major domestic cities and destinations within southern Africa. Buses mainly depart from outside Pretoria train station. Getting Around There are taxi ranks at Church Square and JG Strijdom Square. City bus servicesa radiate from Church Square.

Football Teams

Rugby stronghold Pretoria has a number of teams including Supersport United, a premier league club, that plays at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Mamelodi Sundowns, known as "The Brazilians" due to their bright yellow colours, play at the 25,000 capacity Atteridgeville Super Stadium.














PSL Champions SuperSport United


The University of Pretoria Football Club, aka Tuks FC, play in the Mvela Golden League at the Tuks ABSA Stadium. Garankuwa United are based in nearby Garankuwa and play at the 60,000 capacity Odi Stadium. The South African professional soccer season runs from September to May, so if you're in town around those months there's plenty to see.















Mamelodi Sundowns - The Brazilians

Weather

The climate in Pretoria during the World Cup should generally be mild with no rain, the night time temperature can occasionally get down to freezing point but the days are bright and clear, and should average about 18 degrees Centigrade, slightly warmer than Johannesburg.