Proclaimed in 1904 and owing it’s origins to the discovery of coal and gold in the region, Springs developed from a pioneering mining town to a prosperous industrial giant. The influx of labour form as far afield as China and Wales, lent a cosmopolitan feel to this bustling town, still visible in it’s architecture and dynamic culture. Apart from it’s warm and friendly people, Springs boasts a variety of attractions to interest not only the historian or art and theatre lover, but also the outdoor and sport enthusiast.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Benoni 20 km, Brakpan 15 km, Nigel 20 km.

Altitude – 1615 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – 700 mm per annum

Average Temperatures – Min of 10°c very moderate

Banks – Absa, Fnb, Nedbank, People’s Bank, Permanent, Saambou, Standard (25 ATM’s in total)

Dams – Alexander, Cowles, Geduld, and Vogelstruisbult, all part of the Blesbokspruit Wetland area.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Monuments

Various monuments have been erected to represent important people or events in the history of Springs. These include a monument to honour Paul Kruger, as well as the Tibbott memorial, erected on the spot where the Tibbott family lost their lives during the ‘Great Subsidence’ in the early mining days.

War Cemetery

Located in the midst of typical Highveld maize fields, this peaceful war cemetery is the last resting place of hundreds of soldiers of colour, who died fighting for the Allied Forced during the Second World War. This pristine cemetery serves as memorial to their selfless efforts

NATURE

Grootvaly / Blesbokspruit Wetland Reserve

The Blesbokspruit is Gauteng’s major wetland system and runs from Kempton Park through Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Nigel and Heidelberg where it flows into the Suikerbosrand River, which in turn flows into the Vaal River at the Barrage. The spruit within the Springs section is home to over 250 species of birds, both local and migrants and this area was acknowledged as a wetland of international importance in 1986 by the Ramsar Convention. Several important local bird sanctuaries lie on the Blesbokspruit, including the Marievale and Springs Bird Sanctuaries, which are visited by keen ornithologists from all over South Africa and abroad. Grootvaly covers an area of approximately 350 ha and is located on the outskirts of Springs adjoining the Bakerton residential area and Grootvlei goldmine.

Birds

As a Ramsar Site, the area affords protection to a number of threatened species such as Little Bittern, Greater Flamingo, Baillons Crake, Yellowbilled Stork, Goliath Heron, African Marsh Harrier and Maccoa Duck. The reedbeds provide important breeding sites (heronries) for Glossy Ibis, Sacred Ibis, and various species of egrets, herons and cormorants. Most of the other resident species of water birds also use the sanctuary for breeding. It is also an important site for migrant birds from the northern hemisphere. Many of these species use the area to rest and feed before continuing on their annual journey further southward. Others remain in the area for several months such as Ruff, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpipers. Rare migrants such as Blacktailed Godwit, Spotted Crake, European Marsh Harrier, Grey Phalarope and Grey Wagtail have been recorded. These records are providing proof that the area is located on an important migration route and therefore an ideal site for a research and educational centre.

Fauna & Flora

Apart from the birds, hare, hedgehog, porcupine, slender mongoose, water mongoose, yellow mongoose, zorilla, Cape clawless otter, blackbacked jackal, molerat and striped fieldmouse, the Striped Grass Snake, and Brown Water Snake, as well as the Rinkhals are found. Less common are Aurora snake, House snake, Egg eater, Herald or Redlipped Snake, Spotted Grass snake, Cape Centipede Easter and the Common Mole Snake. No proper study has been done to determine the number of fish species present, but the following have been recorded: barbel, carp, small mouth and largemouth yellow fish, mud fish, silver fish and canary curper. Freshwater crabs are common as is the common Platana, Gutural Toad, Raucous Toad and to a lesser extent the Red Toad. The Blesbokspruit flows through a typical highveld grassland vegetation type. Grootvaly is a typical example of all the vegetative strata normally associated with wetlands. Of the sedges, a group characteristic of wetlands, many of the scarcer species are found here. Apart from those mentioned, many other beautiful and interesting plants are to be found associated with the wetland and surrounding grasslands such as the Ploegbreker (Erythrina zeyherl), Fire lily (Cyrthanthus tuckil), the Pineapple plant (Eucomis autumnalis) which is a threatened medicinal plant and a number of orchid species, nearly all of which are scarce.

Marie Park

A man made water system of streams and water falls built on a former mine dump.

President’s Park - An unspoilt tract of land regularly used for equestrian events

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Christmas Street Market

Held just before Christmas. During this period, the main road through the CBD is closed off and dozens of the flea market stalls erected. Entertainment around the clock.

Art Deco Buildings

The central business district of Springs has the largest collection of small scale Art Deco design buildings in the world – some 34 of them – outside of Miami Florida in the USA. These buildings were constructed during the period between the two world wars and symbolized man’s faith in technology, women’s newfound freedom and the impact of Egyptian architecture on the Western world following the unearthing of Tuthankhamen’s grave.

Kwa Thema Indaba Tree

Indaba means ‘to talk or discuss’, and the Indaba tree was a prominent meeting place of representatives of the various ethnic groupings, as well as the elders of the community of discuss matters of importance during the forming years of Kwa Thema.

Murray Park Resort

A haven of watersport enthusiasts, with facilities including yachting, swimming pools, putt putt, super tube etc. The park is also the venue for the annual Kontiki Raft Race hosted by the Boy Scouts.

Pioneers Park

An authentic Dutch Windmill forms the centerpiece of a park comprising numerous ponds and streams, built on the remains of Springs mining heritage, a mine dump, fully reclaimed and camouflaged by nature. Lush gardens and walkways make this an ideal picnic spot.

Springs Civic Theatre

The only civic theatre in Eastern Gauteng, it provides professional and performing artists with an excellent venue. Drama, comedy, ballet and music, both classical and contemporary, feature in any of the three theatre venues, virtually every night of the week.

Springs Library Art Gallery

The art gallery forms part of the Public Library and Community Centre Complex and provides exhibition opportunities to both promising and well known fine artists. Paintings in water colours, oils and acrylics, drawings in charcoal and pencil, sculptures in wood and a host of other materials, as well as photographic and other exhibitions feature on a regular basis. This haven for the fine arts is open to the public.

Tours

The City Council of Springs Department of Public Relations and Marketing assists with, and conducts tours for interested parties. These tours could include any of the above, as well as tours of industry.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

Canoeing, Micro Lighting, Paragliding, Sailboarding, Swimming, Yachting

Accommodation in and around South Africa