Sun City, North West
Encyclopedia
Sun City is a luxury casino
and resort
, situated in the North West Province of South Africa
. It is located about two hours' drive from Johannesburg
, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
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 was allowed under the South African law at the time to 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 (and stayed) a popular holiday and weekend destination. Many famous performers such as Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa, Elaine Page, Frank Sinatra
, Queen
, Elton John
, Sarah Brightman
, Julio Iglesias
, The O'Jays
, Boney M., Black Sabbath
, Rod Stewart
, Tina Turner
, Dionne Warwick
, Laura Branigan
and Thomas Anders
(of Modern Talking
fame) also performed at the 'Sun City Super Bowl', a large auditorium which seats 6,230. Sun City also became the site of several important Heavyweight
boxing
matches during the late 1970s and early 1980s. One such boxer was Gerrie Coetzee
, who later (1983) became heavyweight world champion.
Sun City became the subject of considerable controversy in 1985 when E Street Band
guitarist Steven Van Zandt
made it 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 would never perform at the resort. Additionally, Simple Minds
included the song as part of a live medley on their double-live Live in the City of Light
album in 1987.
In 2001, Sun City was the site of the 2nd IIFA Awards. Held at the Super Bowl Arena, it honoured both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood
, for that year.
The resort has four hotels:
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. 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
.
Environmental Awards:
Heritage Awards:
Travel and Tourism Awards:
Eventia International Travel & Meetings (ITM) Awards (London) Awards to World Event Management:
Diners Club International – Wine list of the Year Awards:
World Travel Awards 2009:
Star Awards:
Special Awards:
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
and resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
, situated in the North West Province of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It is located about two hours' drive from Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, near the city of Rustenburg. The complex borders the Pilanesberg Game Reserve.
History
Sol Kerzner
Solomon Kerzner is a South African accountant and business magnate.-Background and career:Kerzner was born in Troyeville, Johannesburg, the youngest of four children to Jewish Russian immigrants...
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
Bantustan
A bantustan was a territory set aside for black inhabitants of South Africa and South West Africa , as part of the policy of apartheid...
of Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana
Bophuthatswana , officially the Republic of Bophuthatswana was a Bantustan – an area set aside for members of a specific ethnicity – and nominal parliamentary democracy in the northwestern region of South Africa...
.
As Bophuthatswana had been declared an independent state by South Africa's apartheid government (although unrecognized as such by any other country), it was allowed under the South African law at the time to 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
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
and Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, ensured that Sun City soon became (and stayed) a popular holiday and weekend destination. Many famous performers such as Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa, Elaine Page, Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman
Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer. She is famous for possessing a vocal range of over 3 octaves and singing in the whistle register...
, Julio Iglesias
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva , better known simply as Julio Iglesias, is a Spanish singer who has sold over 300 million records worldwide in 14 languages and released 77 albums. According to Sony Music Entertainment, he is one of the top 15 best selling music artists in history,...
, The O'Jays
The O'Jays
The O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005...
, Boney M., Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
, Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
, Laura Branigan
Laura Branigan
Laura Ann Branigan was an American singer-songwriter and actress of Italian and Irish ancestry. She is best known in the United States for her 1982 Platinum-certified hit "Gloria" and in Europe for the number-one single "Self Control"...
and Thomas Anders
Thomas Anders
Thomas Anders is a German singer, composer and record producer. Anders was the lead singer of Germany's popular pop-duo Modern Talking in 1984–1987 and in 1998–2003.-Early years:...
(of Modern Talking
Modern Talking
Modern Talking was a German dance pop duo consisting of Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen. Their music has often been classified as Europop. They have been referred to as Germany's most successful pop duo, and have had a number of hit singles, reaching the top 5 in many countries...
fame) also performed at the 'Sun City Super Bowl', a large auditorium which seats 6,230. Sun City also became the site of several important Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
matches during the late 1970s and early 1980s. One such boxer was Gerrie Coetzee
Gerrie Coetzee
Gerhardus Christian Coetzee , better known as Gerrie Coetzee, is a South African former boxer. He made history twice: he was the first boxer from the African continent ever to fight for the World Heavyweight Title, and the first to win the World Heavyweight Title...
, who later (1983) became heavyweight world champion.
Sun City became the subject of considerable controversy in 1985 when E Street Band
E Street Band
The E Street Band has been rock musician Bruce Springsteen's primary backing band since 1972.The band has also recorded with a wide range of other artists including Bob Dylan, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Air Supply, Dire Straits, David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Tom Morello, Sting, Ian...
guitarist Steven Van Zandt
Steven Van Zandt
Steven Van Zandt is an Italian-American musician, songwriter, arranger, record producer, actor, and radio disc jockey, who frequently goes by the stage names Little Steven or Miami Steve...
made it the focus of his music-industry activist group, Artists United Against Apartheid
Artists United Against Apartheid
Artists United Against Apartheid was a 1985 protest group founded by activist and performer Steven Van Zandt and record producer Arthur Baker to protest apartheid in South Africa...
. Forty-nine top recording artists collaborated on a song called "Sun City
Sun City (song)
"Sun City" is a 1985 protest song written by Steven Van Zandt, produced by Van Zandt and Arthur Baker and recorded by Artists United Against Apartheid to convey opposition to the South African policy of apartheid...
", in which they pledged they would never perform at the resort. Additionally, Simple Minds
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
included the song as part of a live medley on their double-live Live in the City of Light
Live in the City of Light
-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-Side two:-Side three:-Side four:-References:...
album in 1987.
In 2001, Sun City was the site of the 2nd IIFA Awards. Held at the Super Bowl Arena, it honoured both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
, for that year.
Post-apartheid
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.
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
Gary Player
Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
. The Gary Player Country Club is home to the prestigious Nedbank Golf Challenge
Nedbank Golf Challenge
The Nedbank Golf Challenge is an annual men's professional golf tournament played at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, North West province, South Africa. It is not an official money event for any of the major tours, and like many high profile unofficial tournaments in professional golf it...
(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
Miss South Africa
Miss South Africa is an annual beauty pageant in South Africa that began in 1956. The winner of the pageant represents her country at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants....
and Miss South Africa Teen Pageant. These pageants take place annually in Sun City’s Super Bowl Arena and the Valley of Waves. 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
Sun City Agreement
The Sun City Agreement was an agreement that was signed between some of the warring parties in the Second Congo War on 19 April 2002 at the luxury South African casino resort of Sun City, as a result of the Inter-Congolese dialogue...
.
Awards
The Sun City resort has won a series of awards in various categories, including Environmental, Heritage and Travel and Tourism. Some of the most prestigious awards include: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.;