Sun City, North West
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| Sun City | |
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 Sun City
Sun City shown within North West |
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| Coordinates: 25°20′25″S 27°5′27″E / 25.34028°S 27.09083°ECoordinates: 25°20′25″S 27°5′27″E / 25.34028°S 27.09083°E | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | North West |
| District | Bojanala |
| Municipality | Moses Kotane |
| Established | 1979 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Ward 14 |
| • Councillor | Lebogang Jafta Masilo |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 4.89 km2 (1.89 sq mi) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,299 |
| • Density | 270/km2 (690/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011)[1] | |
| • Black African | 40.1% |
| • Coloured | 7.6% |
| • Indian/Asian | 13.2% |
| • White | 37.0% |
| • Other | 2.2% |
| First languages (2011)[1] | |
| • Tswana | 30.8% |
| • English | 24.0% |
| • Zulu | 14.3% |
| • Afrikaans | 12.6% |
| • Other | 18.2% |
| PO box | 0316 |
Sun City is a luxury resort and casino, situated in the North West Province of South Africa. It is located between the Elands River and the Pilanesberg, about two hours' drive from Johannesburg, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
History[edit]
Sun City was developed by the hotel magnate Sol Kerzner as part of his Sun International group of properties. It was officially opened on 7 December 1979; at the time it was located in the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana.
As Bophuthatswana had been declared an independent state by South Africa's apartheid government (although unrecognized as such by any other country), it could provide entertainment such as gambling and topless revue shows which were banned in South Africa. These factors, as well as its relatively close location to the large metropolitan areas of Pretoria and Johannesburg, ensured that Sun City soon became a popular holiday and weekend destination. The United Nations had imposed a cultural boycott on South Africa in condemnation of apartheid. To overcome this, Kerzner offered substantial financial incentives to performing artists to use Sun City as a venue. Consequently, artists performing there were seen to be accepting the money above any moral objection to apartheid. Despite this, several famous performers chose to flout the boycott and performed at the venue, such as the Beach Boys,[2] Linda Ronstadt,[2] Cher,[2] Millie Jackson,[2] Liza Minnelli,[2] Frank Sinatra (1981),[3] Paul Anka,[3] Status Quo,[4] Rod Stewart (July 1983),[4][3] and Elton John (October 1983).[3]
British rock band Queen's series of performances at the venue in October 1984 in transgression of the boycott caused considerable controversy, prompting criticism in the British music press, a fine from the Musicians' Union and their inclusion on the United Nations' blacklisted artists. Following the criticism, Queen strongly defended their decision, citing the fact that they had insisted they played only to desegregated audiences. They donated to a school for the deaf and blind to prove their philanthropic values.[4] In the late 1980s, Queen's song "We Will Rock You" was used as the sound track to Sun City's 60 second video promo, which was shown as commercial on SABC-TV and also when opening shows in Sun City's Superbowl auditorium .
In 1980, Sun City's "Superbowl" hosted a racially mixed world heavyweight boxing championship fight between champion, American Mike Weaver, and challenger, South African Gerrie Coetzee, on October 25, won by Weaver by thirteenth round knockout. The fight was for Weaver's World Boxing Association world heavyweight title.
In 1985, E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt made the venue the focus of his music-industry activist group, Artists United Against Apartheid. Forty-nine top recording artists collaborated on a song called "Sun City", in which they pledged they wouldn't perform at the resort because of their opposition to apartheid. Additionally, Simple Minds included the song as part of a live medley on their Live in the City of Light double album in 1987.
Post-apartheid[edit]
Sun City has continued to flourish since Bophutatswana was re-incorporated in the new South Africa in 1994.
The resort has four hotels:
- Sun City Hotel;
- Cascades Hotel;
- The Cabanas;
- The Palace of the Lost City was designed by WATG (Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo) with lead designers Eduardo A. Robles and Thanu Boonyawathana. They also design the Golf club house and the facade of the entrance of the casino. BILD Architects were the "Architects of Record".
Extensive Water Features, Fountains, Pools, Natural Lakes, and Waterpark Designed by Aquatic Design Group, Inc. in California envelope the resort guest in the African safari experience.
In addition to the four hotels, the complex includes time-share facilities called "The Sun City Vacation Club" which is a popular self-catering facility.
Sun City also has two international-standard 18-hole golf courses, the Gary Player Country Club and the Lost City Golf Course, both designed by Gary Player. The Gary Player Country Club is home to the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge (formerly the Nedbank Million Dollar Golf Challenge) that is held annually and sees some of the best golfing talent from all over the world competing for the title.
The Lost City Golf Course is noted for the 38 crocodiles in the water feature of the 13th hole.
The Sun City resort has hosted various concerts and events, including the Miss South Africa and Miss South Africa Teen Pageant. These pageants take place annually in Sun City’s Super Bowl Arena and the Valley of Waves. It also hosted Miss World pageant for five times, from 1992-1995 and 2001. Also held in the Valley of Waves is the Springbreak summer festival which sees flocks of holiday-making students from all over the country gather for up to 5 days of fun in the sun. The resort was also the site of the Sun City Agreement.
In 2001, Sun City was the site of the 2nd IIFA Awards. Held at the Superbowl Arena, it honoured both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, for that year.
In 2014, the movie Blended, with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, premiered after being filmed mostly at the resort.
Facilities[edit]
Notable facilities at Sun City:
Awards[edit]
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The Sun City resort has won a series of awards in various categories, including Environmental, Heritage and Travel and Tourism including: Environmental Awards:
- Winner of the Best Practice Accommodation Establishment, 2003
- Winner Best Social Involvement Program, 2004
- Winner Best Single Resource Management Water, 2005
- Winner Best single resource Management Waste, 2005
- Overall winner of the Fedhasa Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism, 2007
- Winner - Best Corporate Social Investment Program, 2007
Heritage Awards:
- The Palace, Cascades, Sun City hotel and Vacation Club awarded Platinum status, 2009
- The Cabanas Hotel maintained Gold status, 2009
Travel and Tourism Awards:
- World Travel Award (WTA) for leading hotel brand, 2008
- The Gary Player Country Club: 2002, 2008 and 2009: Rated number 1 course in South Africa
- Lestsatsing Conference Centre in Sun City Hotel was awarded 5 stars for the “meeting Centre”, 2008
Eventia International Travel & Meetings (ITM) Awards (London) Awards to World Event Management:
- Platinum Award for the incentive project deemed to be the "Best of the Best"
- Best Event Demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility Best Conference or Congress, Long Haul Best Celebratory Event
- Diners Club International “Wine list of the Year” award to the Palace Hotel – Sun City Resort.
Diners Club International – Wine list of the Year Awards:
- Palace Hotel, 2007
- Santorini Restaurant awarded Platinum status, 2009
- Villa del Palazzo Restaurant at The Palace awarded Diamond status, 2002, 2009
World Travel Awards 2009:
- Africa’s Leading Family Resort
- Africa’s Leading Resort
- Africa’s Leading Casino Resort
Star Awards:
- Best Holiday Resort in South Africa
- Best Wedding Venue in South Africa
Special Awards:
- The Reach for a Dream Foundation presented the Sun City Resort with a certificate of appreciation for the support of children with terminal illnesses.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d "Main Place Sun City". Census 2011.
- ^ a b c d e (18 October 1985). "`Sun City` Album Tackles Apartheid Issue". Chicago Tribune (Chicago).
- ^ a b c d "Elton John South Africa tour jogs memories of Sun City gigs". The Nation. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ a b c "The sins of St Freddie". The Guardian. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Things to do at Sun City".
- ^ "Water Sports and Safari Adventures at Sun City".
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sun City. |
| Preceded by Georgia World Congress Center |
Miss World Venue 1992–1995 |
Succeeded by M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Preceded by Millennium Dome |
Miss World Venue 2001 |
Succeeded by Alexandra Palace |
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