Tuesday, February 17, 2009

About 150 Years ago...

About 150 years ago, there was little else on the Johannesburg Highveld other than rolling grassland with the odd grove of shrubs and trees sprinkled across the landscape. A scattering of ridges and koppies through which a number of streams and rivers meandered completed the picture.


But with the discovery of gold in 1886 and the ensuing Gold Rush, Johannesburg was born. Folk living in the booming mining town soon realised the need to set aside areas where nature could flourish and residents could enjoy outdoor activities. Joubert Park, proclaimed in 1906, was the City's first park.

Far from being a dusty, concrete-filled city, Johannesburg is filled with leafy trees and has dozens of spacious green lungs.