Gauteng Offers a Perfect Living - By: Sandra Olivier

Many visitors to Gauteng stay only a couple of days. However as Gauteng is the richest province in the country it also has the largest concentration of foreign companies and foreign residents. Foreign workers are fortunate in that Gauteng offers a quality of life that is hard to equal anywhere in the world. Not only can they look forward to the finest climates one could hope for put the prices for practically everything are still lower than in Europe.

HOUSING: Throughout Gauteng there is a good stock of housing to meet every taste, income level and family size. Cluster homes have become very popular as have gated communities and golf course estates because of security concerns. The property sections of the newspapers and real estate agents list hundreds of homes for rent and sale, from modest starter homes to multi-million rand estates. Condominiums and apartments for singles and childless couples are also plentiful. South African houses are well built and offer the same amenities and comforts that you would find in modern homes in Europe and the United States. There are a number of experienced and reliable re-location companies that can help new arrivals from finding the right home to the best school for the children.

EDUCATION: From pre-school to post doctorate, educational opportunities in Gauteng are of excellent standard and accessible to all. Many government schools are still playing catch up after the end of apartheid brought full integration. They often face a shortage of good teachers, text books and/or facilities so there is a wide range of quality within the government school system. As a result, many families, foreign and domestic, opt for privately run schools which offer standards of education that match those of Europe and the US and usually from pre-school through high school. At the tertiary level Gauteng boasts some of the finest universities and technikons in the country where graduate and post-graduate degrees in just about any discipline can be pursued.

MEDICAL CARE: Medical care in South Africa is excellent. Heart transplant surgery was pioneered in this country. The large UNISA general hospitals have unfortunately also been affected by the budget and staff shortages in recent years as they struggle to keep pace with higher demand. The smaller private clinics and hospitals compare in quality and probably exceed in efficiency with medical centres in the US and Europe. Most private clinics have 24-hour emergency service. More than 70% of Gauteng's population lives within easy reach of a hospital or doctors' rooms. Similarly, there are pharmacies available in every neighbourhood and 24 hour emergency service is available. In all areas of Gauteng well qualified vets for animals small to large are available as Veterinary medicine is also highly advanced in South Africa.

BANKING AND FINANCE: Gauteng is the centre of South Africa's banking industry and offers a wide choice of domestic and international banks which provide the full range of banking and financial services, from checking accounts to investing. The banking system is generally regarded as comparable with Europe and the US. The Johannesburg stock exchange is one of the top twenty in the world, lists hundreds of companies, has state-of- the-art accounting and trading systems and offers a full range of investment options.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: Gauteng, like major population centres around the world, faces a continuing challenge to reduce an unacceptably high incidence of crime. The crime problem throughout South Africa is exacerbated by a high unemployment rate and an influx of foreign crime syndicates. Gauteng has accepted the challenge with the seriousness it deserves. Led by the Premier, the battle against crime has achieved some success. The Johannesburg central business district is being revitalized. Sealed off suburbs have enhanced security substantially in some areas. More policemen are being put on the beat.

ENTERTAINMENT: Obviously, the same attractions available to the tourist are readily available to the resident - game parks, music, sports, museums, dance and drama, among others. For the resident there is radio and television to enjoy at home - and with cable and satellite broadcasting there is a much greater choice. Also, there are theatres and cinemas located around the province, which offer the latest and best live entertainment and movies from around the world. Cooking outdoors is a way of life in Gauteng and the rest of the country. The braai or braaivleis accompanied by one of South Africa's quality or quaffing wines or a cold beer is a popular way to entertain.

About the Author

GEDA is an agency of distinction and its mission is to promote economic growth, encourage new investment and maximise opportunities for skills transfer and job creation in Gauteng.

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