Germiston, East Rand
Germiston was founded during the early gold rush era.
John Jack and August Simmer from Vacha in Germany, found gold while prospecting on the farm of Elandsfontein.
John Jack called the place Germiston after his childhood home of the farm of Germiston near Glasgow.
Both men made fortunes and the town sprung up next to the mine. The world's largest gold refinery known as the Rand Refinery, was established here in 1921.
Germiston expanded vastly and developed greatly as many other mining ventures followed.
Germiston is situated in the East Rand area of the Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is South Africa's sixth largest city with 70% of the western world's gold passing through its gold refinery. It has South Africa's biggest railway junction and the busiest civil airport - Rand Airport.
Germiston is now part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality which includes much of the East Rand and is also part of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Area.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT GERMISTON:
The following people come from Germiston:
- Andre Watson who was a Rugby Referee
- Pierre Isse
- Dr Sydney Brenner, winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
- Ernie Els.
- Daisy Louisa De Melker's house where she lived and murdered her husbands is also located in Germiston.
Even though Germiston is predominantly an industrial area with over 700 factories, it is minutes away from large shopping malls and boasts a few superb entertainment facilities.
Germiston is home to some fine resaturants and excellent accommodation establishments, where tourists or businessmen alike can find B&B, Self Catering, Guest Houses, Hotels or Lodges ranging in price from affordable to exclusive - something to suit all tastes.
Being rich in history, Germiston combines historical experiences and recreation as well as sporting activities and facilities. |
