Tshwane - A host city of excellence

There are few better places in sub-Saharan Africa for hosting conferences, meetings and events than the City of Tshwane. It is strategically located, easily accessible, and offers more than 100 conference and convention facilities catering for groups of less than 50 to as many as 5,500 delegates. Its track record speaks for itself: the city has played host to numerous international, regional and national delegations on trade missions, as well as major international sporting events, conferences and business meetings.

Ease of access

Getting to Tshwane is easy. It is less than 50 kilometres from OR Tambo International Airport, while three other airports - Lanseria, Rand Airport and Wonderboom - are an easy drive from the city centre. In addition:

• Visitors are now able to fly directly between Cape Town and Wonderboom on Airlink.
• All long-distance trains and buses stop at Pretoria Station, making it an easy destination for travellers from within the region.
• The Gautrain rapid rail link seamlessly connects Tshwane to OR Tambo International Airport and neighbouring Johannesburg.

Getting around Tshwane is equally easy: the A Re Yeng bus rapid transit (BRT) service travels through the city centre along dedicated lanes, shuttle services are offered by most hotels and conference facilities, and a wide range of car rentals is available for visitors wanting to explore beyond the city limits.

Intellectual hub

Tshwane has proven itself as a leader in academic excellence and scientific research, with more than 80% of all research and development in South Africa conducted here by institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Human Sciences Research Council, the University of Pretoria, the University of South Africa and Tshwane University of Technology.

Business visitors have access to world-class hotels and conference centres such as the CSIR International Convention Centre, Centurion Conference Centre, Absa Conference Centre and Irene Country Lodge.

Tshwane is also home to the Innovation Hub, where leading local high-tech companies conduct development research in telecoms, electronics and information technology.

Tshwane is also recognised in the fields of manufacturing, technology, electronics and defence design and construction. The presence of motoring giants Nissan, BMW, Ford and Tata in the nearby industrial areas has made the city the motor capital of South Africa.

Further, as the home of more than 130 foreign embassies and missions - the largest concentration in the world outside of Washington, DC - Tshwane regularly hosts inbound foreign business missions, sport and medical conferences, seminars and workshops as well as government-related strategy sessions. And affirming its strong commitment to trade and investment, Tshwane hosts a biannual International Trade and Infrastructure Investment conference.

On the sporting field

With one of the nicest climates in the world, Tshwane is a great destination throughout the year, with mostly sunny, warm days.

This makes it the ideal venue for sports-related events. Tshwane has successfully hosted a Fifa World Cup, Rugby World Cup, Cricket World Cup and All Africa Games at venues such as Supersport Park Cricket Stadium, Pilditch Athletics Stadium - and of course Loftus Versfeld, home of the Blue Bulls rugby franchise as well as a Premier Soccer League football venue. The city also hosts the Tshwane Open, an international event that is growing in stature each year, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine and European Tours.

Down time

Tshwane's accommodation options range from global brand five-star hotels to quaint guest houses and authentic township B&Bs. There's something for every pocket, including backpackers on a shoestring.

The choice ranges across the spectrum, from the five-star Sheraton Hotel, with its view of the iconic Union Buildings, to numerous graded guest houses and lodges. In total, more than 7,000 rooms and 400 conference facilities are available in Tshwane.

And as one would expect of a city that is home to a large diplomatic corps, there are also first-class restaurants and bars aplenty, ranging from family-friendly spaces to trendy pubs and dazzling nightclubs. Shopaholics are also spoilt for choice, both in the myriad open and street-side markets, and in the massive upmarket malls of Brooklyn, Centurion, Irene, Menlyn Park and other suburbs.

And then there are the attractions. The iconic Union Buildings is home to the Presidency and is where all presidents since the advent of democracy have been inaugurated. Just below the Buildings is a nine-metre tall statue of Nelson Mandela, his arms spread wide in benediction or embrace.

On the ridge opposite the Union Buildings is Freedom Park, which offers a unique perspective on South Africa's history as well as a place to remember the heroes and heroines of the past who struggled for humanity and freedom from oppression.

Just behind Freedom Park sits the Voortrekker Monument, commemorating the Great Trek, when thousands of pioneers of French, Dutch and German descent left the Cape in search of independence and freedom from British colonial rule.

But it's not just the past that matters to Tshwane. The city has a long-standing relationship with jazz music. Locals and visitors can listen to live jazz performances while enjoying a traditional African meal at many shebeens (pubs) in the city's townships. Atteridgeville, known as Soul City, has the reputation of being the jazz capital of South Africa, with more than 50 jazz clubs around the township.

Tshwane is also renowned for its natural heritage, being the only city in the world with a big-five game reserve within city boundaries - the 90 000-hectare Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve.

In short, Tshwane is a city with a welcome as warm as its climate - and the perfect place for your event.

Contact

Lillian Hlabangane

Director: International & Association Meetings

lillianh@tshwane.gov.za

www.tshwane.gov.za