The History of Wits is linked with Mining, Academic Excellence, and with Political and Civic Activism. Being surrounded by Mines in the City of Johannesburg, The Wits Mining Institute was started. They collaborated in the design, development and testing of a technology for tracking miners trapped inside a collapsed underground Mine. The origins of Wits University lie in the 'South African School of Mines'. This was first established in Kimberley, with Diamond Mining. Then in 1896 and transferred to Johannesburg as the 'Transvaal Technical Institute' in 1904. This was then named the 'Transvaal University College' in 1906 and renamed the 'South African School of Mines and Technology', four Years later. Other departments were added as Johannesburg grew and in 1920 the name was changed to the University College, Johannesburg. Full University status was granted in 1922, incorporating the College as the University of the Witwatersrand and took effect on 1 March. Seven months later the inauguration of the University was duly celebrated. Prince Arthur of Connaught, Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, became the University's first Chancellor, and Professor Jan H. Hofmeyr its first Principal. Building began at Milner Park on a site donated to the University by the Johannesburg Municipality.

In 1923, the University gradually vacated its premises in Eloff Street to move to the first completed teaching buildings at Milner Park (the Botany and Zoology block - housing the departments of Geology, Botany, Zoology and Applied Mathematics). The University had, at that stage, 6 faculties (Arts, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Law and Commerce), 37 departments, 73 members of academic staff and little more than 1 000 students. In 1925 the Prince of Wales officially opened the Central Block.

During the period between the two world wars severe financial restrictions were imposed upon the University. Nevertheless, student numbers were quite impressive - in 1939, 2 544 students enrolled; that grew to 3 100 in 1945. The sudden increase in student enrolment after the Second World War led to accommodation problems, which were temporarily resolved by the construction of wood and galvanised-iron hutments in the centre of the campus. These huts remained in use until 1972.

Wits was the first SA University to have a nuclear accelerator, to study radar, to have a computer, to study building materials, to produce a systematic climatological atlas of Southern Africa and to achieve a successful graft of plastic cornea.

Today, the University has expanded to having: five Faculties (Commerce; Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; Science) and 33 schools, Wits offers approximately 3 400 courses to 41 000 students. Over a third of the student body comprises postgraduate students. Library facilities consists of two central Libraries and 12 branch Libraries with students having access to over 1,5 million books. Approximately 5 000 students are accommodated in a number of Residences and student Villages. There are 42 Sport Clubs and many Cultural opportunities in the form of over 60 student societies, the Wits Theatre, Art Galleries, Concert Hall and 7 Museums.

Great Brak River (Afrikaans: Groot-Brakrivier) is a Coastal Village which nestles in, the Garden Route. Situated midway between George and Mossel Bay.

Mossel Bay was officially proclaimed a Town in 1848 and in 1852 a Municipal Area. As a result of the new Municipal dispensation introduced by the South African Government, in December 2000. This Municipal Area now includes the Towns and Settlements of: "Mossel Bay; Boggoms Bay, Brandwag, Buisplaas, D'Almeida, Dana Bay, Glentana, Fraaiuitsig, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Hartenbos, Herbertsdale, Hersham, KwaNonqaba and Little Brak River."

It was founded by the Searle family of Surrey, England, of which the elder brother Richard, emigrated to South Africa under a Government-sponsored scheme in 1845. He arrived in Great Brak River, to work for the Central Road Board in 1850. Richard’s brother, Charles, and sister-in-law, Pamela, are credited with founding the Village in 1859. The Searle family went on to become toll keepers (toll houses were operated by private contractors during the 1800's).

There are beautiful, unspoiled Beaches in the Area, and the Lagoon, offer safe swimming. The presence of Southern Right and other whales from May till November is one of the Town’s main attractions. The River that divides the Village is rich in marine life. While its wooded banks offer excellent opportunities for bird watching. Follow the circular route through the Village and experience the History and Culture, of Years gone by. 'There is the scenic beauty of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and the blue Sea, rolling green Hills and pastures, rich Agriculture and Culture. River bush and fynbos, aloe and dolphin, whale, suikerbekkie and man live side by side in a place one can only describe as paradise!'.

The Town of Nigel began as a gold Mining Town in the late 1800's. It was named after a book the Prospector, (which is a person who searches for mineral deposits)-Sir Walter Scott, happened to be reading at the time. This books name was: 'The Fortunes of Nigel'. This Town is directly South of Springs and Brakpan and lies in what is known as the East Rand, South East of Johannesburg. Whilst there Gold Mines have recently been closed, the Industrial Area of the Town is responsible for the manufacturing of the Gautrain Rail Cars. Theses were dispatched from the Industrial Area of Nigel, in 2008. Electricity Hardware and Towers are still manufactured here. They then distribute these specialty transformers; electric motors, generators and motor-generator sets, switchgear and switchboard apparatus, relays and industrial controls. The Marievale Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Southern half of the Blesbokspruit RAMSAR site, or Wetland Area. It is also a designated Important Bird Area in South Africa. Blesbokspruit is the only Ramsar Wetland in the Gauteng Province. It is situated 4 km outside Nigel, the Highveld Town is at an altitude of 1,585 m. RAMSAR Sites are Wetlands of International importance, that have been designated under the criteria of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands for protecting rare or unique Wetland types or for conserving biological diversity. (This convention was held in India, hence the name!) The Marievale Bird Sanctuary is about 10 km2 in size and comprises numerous, large, shallow water bodies dominated by tall, at times dense stands of emergent vegetation consisting mainly of Phragmites, Typha and Juncus reeds. (These types of Reed are used to encourage microorganisms growth and treat wastewater!)

Sodwana Bay National Park offers Africa's Southern most, Coral Reefs and outstanding Climate. Sodwana Bay is one of the World's premier sport diving destinations. This South African Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal features various popular dive sites with a great diversity of underwater seascapes, marine flora and fauna, corals, beautiful overhangs, drop-offs and mushroom rocks. Spectacular night dives have made this a not-to-be-missed destination for the scuba diving enthusiast. Sodwana Bay National Park is situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

This iSimangaliso Wetland Park was South Africa’s first World Heritage Site, recognized for its superlative natural beauty, ecological processes and biodiversity covers 3320 Square Kilometers and includes a Coastline of 230 km! Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is the Provincial Agency mandated to carry out biodiversity Conservation and associated activities in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The primary focus of the organisation is biodiversity Conservation - the management of more than 120 protected Areas which include two World Heritage Sites which are the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site and the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, World Heritage Site.

The Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife administration model has been shown to work well whereby the eco-tourism operations provide financial support for conservation operations. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s (Ezemvelo) mandate is derived from the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Management Act (Act No.9 of 1997), which is to direct the management of Nature conservation within the Province including Protected Areas. This includes the development and promotion of ecotourism facilities within the Protected Areas. With its headquarters at Queen Elizabeth Park in Pietermaritzburg, the Provincial Capital, Ezemvelo manages more than 120 Protected Areas and is the leader in sustainable biodiversity conservation. It has recently broadened its focus to become more relevant to communities living adjacent to their Parks - primarily through job creation and sustainable natural resource harvesting. The organisation as a whole is the offspring of a merger between two conservation bodies: the former Natal Parks Board which was formed in 1947 and whose antecedents go back into colonial times; and the former KwaZulu Directorate of Nature Conservation which was formed in 1972 to manage the nature conservation requirements of the "Homeland" of KwaZulu. Following the Democratic elections in 1994 both organisations negotiated a mutual amalgamation which resulted in the formation of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board, with its entire operation conducted as KwaZulu-Natal Conservation Services.

Benoni is situated on the East Rand, in the South African Province of Gauteng. The Area forms part of the Greater Johannesburg Region. Since 2000 has been part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. Benoni began in 1881 when the Surveyor-General of the time, known as Johan Rissik, found it difficult to assign title deeds to all unclaimed State Property. He named the Area Benoni meaning son of my sorrows, after the Hebrew name given by Rachel to her son, (in the Biblical Book of Genesis.) In September 1887, Gold was discovered at the Chimes Mine. This mine was then established by men from England. Sir George Farrar, the Chairman of a Mining Company, undertook the beautification of the rapidly growing Mining Town in, 1904. The Mine water was channeled into a band of Marshlands and Reservoirs stocked with vibrant fish were created. Today these beautiful Reservoirs remain in the Area where people can fish, boat and relax.

Thousands of trees were also planted in the new Suburb and it achieved Municipal status in 1907. During the 1990's Benoni was the site for the WOMAD Festival (the World of Music, Arts and Dance), an International Cultural festival held annually around the World and used to showcase various artists. Founded by Peter Gabriel, who is a British musician and was lead singer of the progressive rock band 'Genesis'!

Today, Benoni is very diverse, with people of every colour and denomination living there. Over time, Gold Mining has decreased in importance. Today the Town is focused more on Industry and services and is used as a marketplace that accesses consumers to find service providers around them. This is also for the other Towns in the East Rand. Such as Brakpan, Nigel and Springs. Benoni also has a Heliport Site, for the use of Helicopters. When visiting Benoni, one can enjoy a visit to the local Museum, enjoy superb picnics by the many Lakes or Shop at the Lakeside Shopping Mall or Northmead Square Mall. The Lakeside Shopping Mall was built in the shape of a Mississippi Steamboat on one of the Lakes. The Northmead Square is known as the first Shopping Centre to bring Cinemas, back to Benoni. Near to Northmead Square is the Bunny Park boasting hundreds of gorgeous rabbits as well as other small animals and is aimed at entertaining children. For the sport lovers, visit the Willowmoore Park which is a Provincial and One Day International Cricket Venue. The World famous Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron was born in Benoni! Benoni was also the setting for the MTV-inspired, popular cult movie known as: "Straight Outta Benoni", released Internationally in 2005. Benoni contains numerous attractive and tree-lined Suburbs, quite unlike many other East Rand Towns, which tend to be more Industrialized.