The Gauteng Tourism Authority has confirmed the professional conference organisers and tourism partners who will represent the province at Meetings Africa 2026. The announcement outlines the SMMEs selected under the PCO Development Programme and details the confirmed co-exhibitors that will share Gauteng’s stand at the continent’s leading business events trade show.
Browsing: Things to do in Gauteng
Gauteng will mark 20 years of participation at Meetings Africa when the 2026 edition opens at the Sandton Convention Centre. The Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau will exhibit as part of the provincial pavilion under the Gauteng Tourism Authority, reinforcing the province’s long-standing role in Africa’s business events sector. The milestone comes as destinations compete for hosted buyers, conference organisers, and global associations seeking reliable delivery partners.
Gauteng continues to position itself as a leading leisure destination, drawing visitors to its mix of culture, food, heritage sites, and urban entertainment. Provincial tourism officials say domestic travel has rebounded steadily, with city-based experiences and township tourism seeing renewed interest. For residents and visitors alike, the province’s leisure offering now spans curated food districts, heritage landmarks, rooftop venues, family attractions, and outdoor escapes, all within short driving distances.
Delegates visiting Gauteng for conferences, summits, and business travel often have limited free time, usually no more than a weekend or two evenings. Johannesburg and Pretoria continue to position themselves as compact, experience-rich cities where culture, foo,d and leisure can be accessed within short distances. This matters now as Gauteng hosts a growing calendar of national and international events, with visitors increasingly seeking meaningful experiences that fit around professional schedules.
Restaurants, rooftops and live-music venues across Gauteng have rolled out February programming that extends Valentine’s celebrations beyond 14 February. The shift affects couples, friends and social planners looking for flexible date-night options throughout the Month of Love rather than a single, high-pressure evening. This matters now as lifestyle venues respond to growing demand for experience-based nights out that fit real schedules, budgets and transport considerations.
The Maslow Sandton has scheduled a full weekend of Valentine’s day -themed dining, stay-over, and outdoor experiences from Friday, 13 February to Sunday, 15 February 2026, as venues across Gauteng extend celebrations beyond a single evening. The programme affects couples, friends, and small groups looking for structured but flexible ways to mark the Valentine’s weekend in Sandton. The timing matters as demand for multi-day Valentine’s experiences continues to grow, with bookings spreading across the entire weekend rather than concentrating on 14 February alone.
A Johannesburg hotel restaurant has introduced a weekly Sunday brunch offering that reflects broader shifts in how Gauteng residents are using hospitality spaces for social gatherings and leisure time. Epsom Restaurant, based at a Fourways hotel venue, has launched a Sunday Bubbly Brunch format combining a structured breakfast service with live music and limited sparkling wine.
Couples in Gauteng looking for a Valentine’s Day escape without long-distance travel are being offered a limited overnight romantic experience at Thaba Eco Hotel this February. The offering, announced this week by the hotel, is positioned as a curated stay focused on privacy, connection, and time away from daily routines. It comes as many urban couples opt for short, local getaways rather than peak-season travel during February.
For first-time business travellers, arriving in Gauteng is an introduction to the heartbeat of South Africa’s economy. This is where boardrooms, innovation labs, government offices, and multinational headquarters intersect. More than just a stopover, Gauteng is a destination built for deal-making, growth, and long-term opportunity.
A major new urban development is taking shape at the intersection of Jan Smuts Avenue and Chester Road, where Nine Yards, Johannesburg’s newest green town square, is steadily coming to life. The precinct is opening in phases from December 2025, with full tenant activation expected between February and March 2026.