Midrand is a relatively new area between Johannesburg and Tshwane (Pretoria). Originally just a small village called Halfway House, which served as a refreshment station for horses making the Jhb to Pretoria trip, today the Midrand area almost connects the two cities. Very little is left of the sprawling farms and small holdings that once characterised the area.
Part of the Johannesburg Metropole, Midrand is mainly built around the N1 highway, with easy access to the major highways and the Gautrain which is situated adjacent to the Old Pretoria Johannesburg Road (K101). Midrand has its own international airport for light aircraft, Grand Central, and is 25km away from the Johannesburg International Airport, which makes for easy accessibility.
Midrand is a large business hub, home to a number of industries, distribution centres and corporate head offices, especially in the textile, IT and car sectors – names like BMW, Honda, Johnson & Johnson, Siemens Bosch, Vodaworld, and Sinofia Ventis come to mind. The South African Mint has also moved to this area from Pretoria.
With the job opportunities came the workforce that moved out to Midrand, and as a result, new residential areas for the middle to high income groups have sprung up in the surrounding areas. Shopping centres are spread across the area including the huge complexes in nearby Centurion, Fourways, Sandton and Woodmead. The Midrand Graduate Institute offers a number of university degrees and the area has schools and pre-schools.
The beautiful Turkish mosque, Nizamiye Turkish Masjid, has been built in Midrand and is a hub for the Muslim community.
Midrand is well-known as the home of Kyalami Racetrack, which is an all-purpose motorsport venue for car, motorcycle and kart racing, managed by independent sports clubs. In addition, the Kyalami Driving School offers driver training and education and vehicle testing. Carmakers use the track for defensive driving courses to teach their customers to deal with aquaplaning, skidding, blowouts and the like.
Midrand is close to both the Midrand Urban Market and the Irene Market, both great sources of fresh produce and home-made items and offer plenty of entertainment for the family. Midrand is also home to the South African Lipizzaners, the Kyalami Country Club golf course and the Lory Park Zoo and Animal Sanctuary.
For more information on the Johannesburg Metropole, visit ShowMe.
