Although this town cannot lay claim to any gold mines, many industries that supported the mining industry developed here and were responsible for the fast growth of the town. It is also home to the largest brewery on the African continent.

In the Alberton area an archaeological site at Meyersdal Koppie has yielded some remains of a late Iron Age stone walled settlement. The nearby Rietveli farm zoo offers lots of activities for children. An unusual and fascinating museum at Doll's Heaven is well worth a visit. The museum houses over 5 000 dolls in the collection as well as other toys, cameras and crafts.

This residential suburb celebrated its centenary in 2005. It is located on the backs of the Natal Spruit about fifteen kilometres south east of Johannesburg's CBD and is part of the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality.