Thava Indian Restaurant has officially opened a new branch at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, expanding its footprint in Gauteng’s competitive hospitality sector. The Kerala-inspired restaurant, founded by Mathew Abraham, now operates inside one of the province’s busiest entertainment destinations in Ekurhuleni. The opening gives East Rand residents and visitors access to traditional South Indian cuisine within the Emperors Palace complex.
Browsing: Visit Gauteng
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.
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.
Gauteng residents scrambling for Valentine’s day plans now have a short list of verified, bookable options across the province—many running only on or around 14 February. The ideas below are drawn from current listings by venues and organisers, and include clear dates, prices and what each experience actually includes, so readers can make a last‑minute choice without wading through vague adverts.
The Mandisi Dyantyis Concert of Love will take place this Sunday, 15 February 2026, at Nirox Sculpture Park in the Cradle of Humankind, drawing music lovers from across Gauteng for a full-day outdoor performance. With gates opening at 10:00 and music continuing until sunset, visitors are seeking nearby accommodation and experiences to extend the Valentine’s weekend beyond the concert itself.
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.
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.
More first-time visitors to Gauteng are using guided sightseeing tours to navigate Johannesburg and Soweto in 2026, as operators expand affordable packages and simplify transport for newcomers. The shift is affecting domestic tourists, families, and international travellers who want predictable costs and safer ways to move around the city. Tourism operators say demand has increased steadily over the past year, particularly for hop-on hop-off and guided township tours.