About Benoni

Benoni, in Ekurhuleni on Gauteng's East Rand, was established in 1904 around gold-mining claims and takes its name from the Old Testament phrase meaning "son of my sorrow," reportedly chosen by the town's founder after his wife died during its establishment. Built around the reclaimed wetland now known as Lake Benoni, the town retains a green, water-centred core unusual for a Reef mining town, with the lake and its surrounding parkland forming a focal point for community life. Benoni's history is closely linked to gold and coal mining, and it grew as a working-class mining and manufacturing centre through the twentieth century, with Willowmoore Park, one of South Africa's established provincial cricket grounds, hosting the sport for generations. Today Benoni functions as a commercial and residential hub within Ekurhuleni, with suburbs like Rynfield and Northmead anchoring much of its social and retail activity.

Benoni's spring calendar opens with the Ben Vino Wine Festival 2026 taking over 114 on Waterhouse in early September, followed by CENTRAL PERK: The Musical at Pinnacle College Rynfield's Theatre of Dreams later that month. Runners can lace up for the Wed 21 Oct BNAC Night Race Benoni Gauteng 10km 5km hosted by Running Gauteng, while cricket returns to Willowmoore Park in December when South Africa vs Bangladesh comes to town. Classical music fans have an earlier date for their diary too, with Miro Chakaryan (violin) & Elna van der Merwe (piano) performing at The Shed and Silo Country Restaurant in early September.