Before the South African War, the South African Republic (ZAR) decided to fortify Pretoria.

Four forts were completed. Fort Klapperkop was the third, erected and completed on 18 January 1898.

At 1 555 meters above sea level it is highest natural point in the City. It provides beautiful views of the City with a 360-degree view from the roof of the Fort.  On a clear day you are able to see the Hillbrow Tower in Johannesburg.

The track of the Gautrain was plotted from a beacon on the roof of the Fort, through GPS and technical signals flashing between Trig Beacons, Base Stations and Satellites.

Another interesting and unusual fact about Fort Klapperkop relates to their ablution facilities. Visitors wanting to use the facilities are surprised there are none inside the Fort and that they are obliged to walk (or run) 150 meters to a house on the site.  This house belonged to a Bittereinder, a member of a faction of Boer guerrilla fighters, resisting the forces of the British Empire in the later stages of the Second Boer War (1899–1902).  The house was moved brick by brick from Bronkhorstspruit to Fort Klapperkop Heritage Site.

Visitors often speculated about where the soldiers stationed in the Fort went when they needed “to go”. For years no-one could give an answer as it was not noted in history books.

The mystery was solved by a game of cricket between museum personnel and friends, on the lawn in front of the Fort, a ball hit for a six disappeared into the bushes.

While searching for the ball a structure was discovered and, after some investigation it was found that it dated from the time of the occupation of the Fort. This was the ‘longdrop’ used by the soldiers.

For more information, visit the website or call +27 (0)12 346 7703.

The Monument was inaugurated in 1949. It was designed by architect Gerard Moerdijk. In the Hall of Heroes is the world’s longest historical marble frieze. A tapestry with more than three million stitches is housed in the Cenotaph Hall.

Today it is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the country. It is also the only Grade 1 national Heritage Site in Pretoria. The Monument also manages the Blood River Heritage Site.

5 interesting facts about the Voortrekker Monument

• It is the only Monument in South Africa with an oculus in the domed roof through which the sun shines once a year on 16 December at exactly 12 noon – it shines onto the Cenotaph below with the words: ‘”Ons vir jou Suid-Afrika”  (We for thee South Africa).
• The gardens outside the laager wall were designed to resemble the typical terrain encountered by the Voortrekkers. Various Trekker routes have been designed as part of the landscape.
• The frieze has 27 panels and is the longest existing bas-relief marble frieze in the world (92 m).
• 64 granite wagons encircle the Monument as symbolical protection. It is the same number of wagons as during the battle of Blood River.
• There are 130 steps from the parking lot to the main entrance of the Monument.

For more information, view a presentation about the Monument. Visit the website, call +27 (0)12 326 6770 / 323 0682 or email marketing@vtm.org.za.

Menlyn Park Shopping Centre in partnership with the Tshwane Tourism Association hosted the first ever Tourism Expo in Tshwane between 26-29 September 2019. The Expo was a showcase of everything tourism related in Pretoria, primarily, and beyond. This was an excellent initiative to showcase the best that Tshwane has to offer at the Continent’s biggest shopping centre.

With just over 36 exhibitors showcasing their unique tourism offerings to shoppers, the Expo was initiated to drive support for local businesses within the tourism industry and illustrate what the City of Tshwane has to offer in terms of tourism.

Key exhibitors included:

• Vootrekker Monument – the second most visited tourism destination in South Africa (Trip Advisor South Africa)
• Freedom Park
• Local Pretoria hotels
• Local spas
• Dinokeng Game Reserve – the only residential Big Five game reserve in Gauteng
• Diamond X Ranch

The good news is that the Menlyn Tourism Expo is coming back in 2020. The next Tourism Expo will be launched in February 2020 and stand sales will commence immediately.

Proposed dates: 24-27 September 2020

Media launch: 4 March 2020

For more information, view a presentation about the Expo and read the 2019 report. Email Trust Masarirambi on trustm@primeoutdoor.co.za.

Discover the incredible views over the 28 ha Mongena dam from the newly launched Imvubu thatched bush lapa and boma on the banks of the Boekenhout River in Dinokeng Game Reserve.

Christmas day lunch in the bush at Mongena Private Game Lodge

Enjoy Mongena’s festive buffet menu in the Tshukudu lapa on Christmas day between 12:00 and 14:30.   R450 per adult, R250 for children aged 5-11 years, R150 for children aged 2-4 years. Babies free. Bookings and prepayment essential. Bring your own gifts for Father Christmas to hand out.

An optional 2.5 hour guided game drive at 09:00 is offered exclusively to lunch guests at a discounted price of R250 for adults and R150 for kids aged 3-11 yrs.  Regret no children under 3 years allowed on game drives.

Download the booking form and menu.

The Tshwane Tourism Association (TTA) is pleased to advise that the 3rd Annual Tshwane Tourism Showcase is planned to take place on Thursday 23 January 2020. Please save the date and look out for further announcements and invitations in the near future.

The TTA Showcase is a business-to-business showcase of all that Tshwane has to offer in terms of tourism and the audience invited to view the exhibitions is anyone in the business of selling Tshwane as a destination (international, regional and local inbound tour operators, destination marketing companies, travel agencies, embassies, etc.) as well as key markets such as government procurement departments.

Experience
Minimum 5 years’ experience in sales, preferably related to the hospitality industry.

Requirements
Grade 12, relevant tertiary qualification/s, fluent in business English, computer literate (MS Office), solid client base, valid driver’s license and willing to use own reliable transport for work purposes, should no company vehicle be available.

Key responsibilities

• Increase revenue; achieve/exceed monthly sales budget.
• Build and maintain excellent client relationships.
• Maintain efficient and effective administrative duties/client feedback.

Key attributes

• Mature person who enjoys life/passionate.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Team player.
• Innovative.
• Willing to travel in South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Availability and salary
The position is available immediately. The salary is highly negotiable depending on sales experience; basic plus incentives.

If you are ready for a new venture, and you meet all the above requirements, you are welcome to forward your CV to charmaine@capitalhotelschool.co.za.

Successful candidates will receive feedback by no later than 13 December 2019.

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See what hot entertainment is on in the city
TTA Tourism Showcase, 23 January 2020, Pretoria
Meetings Africa, 24–26 February 2020, Johannesburg
WTM Africa, 6–8 April 2020, Cape Town
Africa’s Travel Indaba Business Opportunity Networking Day, 11 May 2020, Durban
Africa’s Travel Indaba, 12–14 May 2020, Durban
Africa Aerospace and Defense EXPO (AAD), 16–20 September 2020, Pretoria