Germiston

Germiston, East Rand

Germiston is situated in the East Rand area of Gauteng. Germiston is South Africa's sixth largest city with 70% of the western world's gold passing through its gold refinery.

Germiston also boasts South Africa's biggest railway junction and the busiest civil airport, Rand Airport. Germiston was established in the early days of the gold rush when two prospectors, namely John Jack from the farm of Germiston near Glasgow and August Simmer from Vacha in Germany, struck paydirt on the farm of Elandsfontein. John Jack called the place Germiston after his childhood home near Glasgow. These in turn attracted supporting commerce and increasing population. Both men made fortunes and the town sprung up next to the mine.

In 1921 the world's largest gold refinery known as the Rand Refinery, was established here. After that, Germiston experienced phenomenal growth and development. Many other mining ventures followed and Germiston`s growth was generated by supplementary industrial requirements.

Germiston is now part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality which includes much of the East Rand and is also part of the Greater Johannesburg Metropolitan Area. Interestingly, quite a few notable people come from Germiston including Andre Watson who was a Rugby Referee, Pierre Isse; Dr Sydney Brenner, winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine; and of course Ernie Els. On the more aerie side of things, the house wherein Daisy Louisa De Melker lived and murdered her husbands is also located in Germiston.

Even though Germiston is predominantly an industrial area with over 700 factories, it is minutes away from large shopping malls and boasts a few superb entertainment facilities. Gastronomic dinners can be experienced in one of their many world class restaurants. Germiston is a fun area in which to enjoy a historical experience and recreation as well as sporting facilities.