Sedibeng

Sedibeng, often referred to as ‘the Vaal’ – consists of three main towns – Vanderbilpark, Vereeniging and Midvaal. The towns have leafy streets, parks and gardens and are lined with over 500 000 trees, and although many of the lookalike houses were built by the giant South African steel company Iscor during the period 1947 to 1964, the towns also have sought-after, expensive homes. The stretch of Vaal River homes in Vanderbijlpark, boast the most expensive inland waterfront homes in South Africa. Sedibeng also has the highest concentration of engineers in South Africa – servicing giant engineering companies Arcelor Mittal and Sasol.

Close to the towns are the historic black townships of Boipatong, Bophelong, Sebokeng and Evaton, as well as the internationally known township of Sharpeville, site of the infamous massacre of black protestors by white police in 1960. The poignant Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct that celebrates those who gave their lives in the fight for freedom is well worth a visit.

Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging lie on the banks of the mighty malaria-free Vaal River, with some of the best inland boating in the country. Their river banks are lined with hotels, resorts, picnic and camping sites, marinas, harbours, a casino, holiday homes and beautiful residental and golfing estates. If you’re a water-sport fan you’ll be in your element because you can take your pick of fishing, waterskiing and swimming; or maybe you just want to chill with a picnic or braai on the banks. The stretch of Vaal River is also very popular for on board luxury dining aboard luxurious cruisers, self-drive house boats, birding charters, fishing charters, wine tasting by river taxi and causal cruises past Millionaire’s Mile. The Klip River runs through Midvaal and also has a welcoming and rich variety of hospitality venues and attractions to visit and enjoy.

Shop at the Vaal Mall or River Square Shopping Centre, or if you’ve time to spare, browse the Vaal Meander and its fantastic variety of arts and craft shops, the largest habidashery shop in South Africa, country stalls, attractive tea and coffee spots, outdoor adventure centres, antiques and collectibles, brewery tours and much more.

In the evening try your luck at the glitzy Emerald Resort & Casino or catch a show or enjoy some live music. If you need more outdoor activities visit the resort’s 203ha Animal World, established in 2001 by the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa; or make a splash at the resort’s indoor climate controlled Aquadrome.

The adjacent Emfuleni Nature Park has great hiking trails, plenty of birdlife as well as plains game such as red hartebeest, zebra, wildebeest, blesbok and reedbuck. Or play a round at the Emfuleni Golf Estate, Heron Banks Golf Estate or a number of other river golf courses, which you can visit by River Taxi.