Germiston Tourism Information

Quick Facts: Germiston

• Germiston is the sixth largest South African city and one of the most industrialised
• Germiston's past and present is quite literally laced with gold
• Germiston is the seat of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
• It is home to hundreds of factories, an airport and the Simmer and Jack gold mines
• The Rand Refinery, built in 1921, is still the largest gold refinery in the world
• In 1886, two prospectors, August Simmer and John Jack, struck gold on a section of the Elandsfontein farm
• By 1903, their small mining village had grown into a municipality, which was named Germiston, after Jack's childhood home in Scotland
• Germiston Golf Club
• Rondebult Bird Sanctuary
• South African Airways Museum

Distance to Airport: 16 km

Distance to City: 14 km

Introducing Germiston

As the sixth largest South African city and one of the most industrialised, Germiston's past and present is quite literally laced with gold.  Germiston is the seat of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, home to hundreds of factories, an airport and the Simmer and Jack gold mines.  The Rand Refinery, built in 1921, is still the largest gold refinery in the world – around seventy percent of the Western World's gold gets cleared here.  For restaurants and nightlife it is best to venture further afield to the suburbs of Bedfordview, Alberton and Kempton Park.

In 1886, two prospectors, August Simmer and John Jack, struck gold on a section of the Elandsfontein farm. By 1903, their small mining village had grown into a municipality, which was named Germiston, after Jack's childhood home in Scotland. Germiston's growth into a full-blown city resulted from the explosion of industry in the town. Its railway junction grew into the largest in South Africa, at one point seeing some 1725 trains pass through the station daily.

Best Kept Secret

Katlehong Art Centre

Set in the Phooko section of Katlehong township. Visit local artists at work in their studio or browse a range of art, ceramics, beadwork, tapestries and more at the Zicelele Ihlombe Gallery. The centre can be visited during a township tour.

Getting there

To reach Germiston from the airport, follow the R24 to Johannesburg and take the Germiston/Edenvale Road exit.