If South Africa was a ship, Cape Town would be the deck. In the Mother City there are sea breezes, deckchairs and beautiful views. Joburg, however, would be the engine room – the metal heart of the country where the hard work gets done and the faceless drones peer at smog through closed car windows.
Gauteng is more often associated with hijackings than holidays.
But looking at the sunrise over the Magaliesberg mountains from the basket of his hot-air balloon, Adam Fillmore knows this isn’t true. “The Magaliesberg is 100 times older than Mount Everest and over 120km long,” said the AirVentures pilot.
Sailing along at a leisurely 10km/h, the balloon provides a refreshingly different view of the fast-paced province – crisp spring air, wildlife and quiet farming villages.
Showing off this unrecognised beauty, vibe and charm is what the Gauteng Tourism Department aims to do with its new campaign, “I’m a Gee Pee”.
The campaign was launched yesterday at the Cradle of Humankind, and will use promotions and tourism ambassadors to promote the region.
But the target audience is not foreigners – they want you and me to start holidaying in our province. It is estimated that for every 16 tourists who visit, one job is created.
Gauteng MEC for Economic Development and Planning Qedani Mahlangu emphasised that amid the global economic downturn, South Africa needed to depend on local, not international, tourism for economic growth. “Very few Gautengers have tried to explore Gauteng,” she said.
Ambassador and Benoni-born musician Pops Mohamed has dedicated himself to preserving and protecting indigenous African instruments.
He plays only indigenous African instruments and seems to know folklore for each one. But he wants to do more.
“There are sites, important places (in Gauteng) that I have not even seen,” said the man who has travelled the world and admits there are countries he knows better than his own.
And exploring the province needn’t be expensive. The department hopes discounts will help make things affordable.
Go to Gauteng.net to register for an “I’m a Gee Pee” card and get discounts on travel in Gauteng. - The Star