Wemmer Pan
Encyclopedia
Wemmer Pan is a lake and recreational area in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s located to the south of the city centre, in the suburb of La Rochelle, at GPS S 26.2308° E 28.0580°.
word describing a shallow lake.
The Wemmer Pan was named after Mr. Sam Wemmer. It was originally a quarry, and was later taken over by the City Deep Mine which required the water for mining purposes.
Wemmer Pan is part of Pioneers Park, which was built at the turn of the 20th century. Pioneers' Park was formally opened on 26 April 1924 by the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, on land bought by the City Council. The park is named in memory of the founders of Johannesburg and of the gold mining industry of which it is the centre.
Johannesburg’s Turffontein Racecourse
is opposite Wemmer Pan.
On the banks of the lake is Santarama Miniland, which contains about 80 scale models of notable buildings and locations from around South Africa, on a scale of 1:25. These include a scale model of Robben Island
, where Nelson Mandela
was held prisoner, the Union Buildings
and the Hillbrow Tower. A full-scale replica of Jan van Riebeeck
's ship, the Dromedarus, takes visitors on a free boat ride on the lake. Also included are a mini-golf course, miniature railroads, a miniature harbor and a cableway.
Next door is the James Hall Transport Museum
, which is the largest transport museum in Africa. It was established in 1964 by Jimmie Hall, and it preserves and promotes the history of over 400 years of transport in South Africa in particular and Africa in general. The collection includes over 400 years’ worth of various modes of land transport that range from steam driven vehicles, trains, trams and trolley buses, to animal drawn carriages, early bicycles and cars. The courtyard houses a number of steam vehicles, some of them still in working order.
, who committed at least 27 murders throughout 1996 and 1997, was known as the Wemmer Pan Killer because a number of his victims were found in the vicinity.
History
The word “pan” is an AfrikaansAfrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
word describing a shallow lake.
The Wemmer Pan was named after Mr. Sam Wemmer. It was originally a quarry, and was later taken over by the City Deep Mine which required the water for mining purposes.
Wemmer Pan is part of Pioneers Park, which was built at the turn of the 20th century. Pioneers' Park was formally opened on 26 April 1924 by the Governor General, the Earl of Athlone, on land bought by the City Council. The park is named in memory of the founders of Johannesburg and of the gold mining industry of which it is the centre.
Amenities
Wemmer Pan is home to the Wemmer Pan Rowing Club (established in 1911), and hosts the annual Dragon Boat Corporate Spring Festival Regatta. The park provides for fishing, boating and picnicking, and it once again boasts illuminated musical fountains.Johannesburg’s Turffontein Racecourse
Turffontein Racecourse
Turffontein Racecourse is a race track in South Africa for Thoroughbred horse racing founded in 1887 at Turffontein, Gauteng by the Johannesburg Turf Club...
is opposite Wemmer Pan.
On the banks of the lake is Santarama Miniland, which contains about 80 scale models of notable buildings and locations from around South Africa, on a scale of 1:25. These include a scale model of Robben Island
Robben Island
Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa. The name is Dutch for "seal island". Robben Island is roughly oval in shape, 3.3 km long north-south, and 1.9 km wide, with an area of 5.07 km². It is flat and only a...
, where Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
was held prisoner, the Union Buildings
Union Buildings
The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa. The imposing buildings are located in Pretoria, atop Meintjieskop at the Northern end of Arcadia, close to historic Church Square and the Voortrekker Monument...
and the Hillbrow Tower. A full-scale replica of Jan van Riebeeck
Jan van Riebeeck
Johan Anthoniszoon "Jan" van Riebeeck was a Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town.-Biography:...
's ship, the Dromedarus, takes visitors on a free boat ride on the lake. Also included are a mini-golf course, miniature railroads, a miniature harbor and a cableway.
Next door is the James Hall Transport Museum
James Hall Transport Museum
James Hall Transport Museum is located in Johannesburg South Africa.It is largest transport museum in Africa.It is a museum that aims to preserve and promote the history of over 400 years of transport in South Africa in particular and Africa in general. It was established in 1964 by Jimmie Hall.-...
, which is the largest transport museum in Africa. It was established in 1964 by Jimmie Hall, and it preserves and promotes the history of over 400 years of transport in South Africa in particular and Africa in general. The collection includes over 400 years’ worth of various modes of land transport that range from steam driven vehicles, trains, trams and trolley buses, to animal drawn carriages, early bicycles and cars. The courtyard houses a number of steam vehicles, some of them still in working order.
Other events
Serial killer Cedric MaakeCedric maake
Maoupa Cedric Maake is a serial killer from South Africa. He committed at least 27 murders throughout 1996 and 1997.- Crimes :...
, who committed at least 27 murders throughout 1996 and 1997, was known as the Wemmer Pan Killer because a number of his victims were found in the vicinity.