Focus on Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa

Alberton, East Rand: Alberton is a town on the East Rand of the Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is known as a typical bedroom community, meaning that is it a community primarily residential in character, with most of its workers commuting to a nearby town suburb or city to earn their livelihood.

Situated on the banks of the Natal Spruit close to the major urban centres of Johannesburg (15 kilometres) and Pretoria, Alberton is unique and boasts a long interesting history.

At the age of 13, a boy by the name of Johannes Petrus Meyer bought 11 hectare of his fathers farm, Elandsfontein (now Alberton) from his stepfather. He built a house next to the beautiful Alberton stream close to where the current civic centre is today. After his wife passed away in 1870 with the birth of their fourth daughter, he decided to start a general store. He started this general store and built his mansion in 1890. This spectacular mansion was miraculously left unharmed during the war and can still be seen today! Jan's brother, Johan Georg (Org) Meyer, took over the farm after Jan's death. General Alberts purchased a part of the farm Elandsfontein from Org and he decided on the name Alberton.

The first official post office was opened in 1926. Building work started in 1938 on the new town hall. Street names in the Alberton North suburb were named after the Voortrekker heroes. Alrode, which is Alberton's current industrial suburb, was established in 1943. The well-known "Blou Meul", which is still doing business today, was established in 1954 and is situated at Van Riebeeck Street, Alberton North. The Alberton Boulevard was another big development and was established in the late 80's / early 90's. All these historical heritage sites can be explored and witnessed during one of the many tours offered here.

From a town planning perspective, Alberton is truly unique in that is does not have a reason for its location apart from its proximity to the major population centre. It boasts large industrial areas and has now become a part of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. There are a variety of shopping centres, libraries, clinics, hospitals and entertainment facilities available here. The massive East Rand Shopping Mall is just minutes away from this beautiful suburb. At Alberton, one can take a step back in time and learn of the many historical aspects of this beautiful suburb.