Affectionately known by its residents as the City of Lakes because of its four lakes, Benoni forms part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, along with Alberton, Boksburg, Brakpan, Edenvale, Germiston, Kempton Park, Nigel and Springs.
But as the people of Benoni, there is a lot many don’t know about Benoni. The small town of Benoni has a lot of interesting facts that would make any Benonian proud.
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Benoni originally developed from a gold-mining camp.
As with many of Gautengs small towns, Benoni owes its existence to the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand reef in the 1880s. Formerly farmland, it quickly became an important gold mining district and was officially declared the Township of Benoni in 1906, named after Rachel and Jacobs son, Benoni, in the Book of Genesis.
Benonis first inhabitants were mainly British and Jewish settlers, but today it has a fascinatingly diverse population.
Mining has decreased in importance over the years, so the town’s economy today is based on industry as well as being the service hub for neighbouring Boksburg, Brakpan and Springs.
So, what is it that we might not know about Benoni or that we could learn about Benoni?
Did you know?
• Actress Charlize Theron grew up in Benoni.Theron was born on August 7, 1975, in Benoni to co-owners of a road construction company Charles and Gerda.
The Afrikaans-speaking family lived on a working farm and although Theron’s childhood chores included tending livestock, her passion for dance became evident early on.
The Theron household was an unhappy one and as Charles struggled with alcoholism, he became physically abusive. In 1991, when Theron was 15, her father violently attacked her and her mother.
Theron watched as Gerda shot and killed Charles. The murder was deemed an act of self-defence and Gerda was never charged with a crime.
• South African rugby player Bryan Habana was born in Benoni. Habana was born on June 12, 1983, in Benoni. While he may have grown up aspiring to be a footballer, he changed his mind in 1995 when The Springboks became victorious.
His focus shifted to rugby and he pursued it, making a successful career for himself.
• Benoni is reputed to have the most horse stables. The town has more horse stables per square kilometre than anywhere else in the southern hemisphere.
• The Victorian Secret: 140 Woburn Street (corner Russel Street), Western Extension, Benoni. The Victorian Secret is a cafe that occupies a building once known as Tait House, part of an important group of heritage buildings to the west of the Benoni CBD. It is named one of the finest examples of Victorian architecture in eastern Gauteng, was built in 1911 for the entrepreneur WM Tait and was designed by one of the leading architects of the day, Robert Macbeth Robertson. The property had been slated for demolition, but in 2009 a local businessman began a campaign to rescue and restore the building. By 2013, Tait House had successfully been saved and the Victorian Secret cafe launched. In recognition of the buildings unique heritage, the Victorian Secret takes note of its past with cosy decor complemented by historical photos and antique furniture, and a popular tea garden.
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• Benoni Country Club (BCC) BCC was originally founded as the Van Ryn Golf Club in 1906 when a nine-hole course was set out as a recreational pursuit for employees of the Van Ryn gold mine. It was expanded into an 18-hole course three years later and has, over the years, become a favourite with golfers of all levels and is regularly ranked in the top 100 golf courses in South Africa.
• WOMAD festival was held in Benoni, during the 1990s, 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. Posted in 1999: “One of the world’s greatest festivals, WOMAD, comes to Johannesburg for three days in February next year. The Bluegum Creek Estate in Benoni will be transformed into a global village as more than 25 artists from almost as many countries perform on three stages from February 12-14.”
• The Chimes Tavern is one of the oldest pubs in South Africa. This Benoni pub was originally built as a watering hole for the many expat miners that came to seek their fortunes in 1889. In the early days, The Chimes Tavern was a rambunctious place. Miners would sometimes enter the bar without bothering to get off their horses.
• South African Air Force pilots were trained here during World War II. Pilots were trained at the old Benoni Flying Field. This station was established on November 11, 1940, and opened on September 1, 1941. It was disbanded on June 24, 1945. The station was closed on July 22, 1946. Aircraft stationed here included Tiger Moths, Hornet Moths, Rearwin 7 000, Harts, Audaxes and Harvards.
