Originally a farming settlement in the mid-19th century, Pretoria became the capital of the South African Republic. The city was named after Andries Pretorius, a great Afrikaner hero. When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, Pretoria became the administrative capital.

Pretoria is located only a few tens of miles from Johannesburg, joined by busy highways, and it is conceivable that the two cities will join up in the not too future.

We visited in the spring which is the best time to view the magnificent jacaranda trees which paint the city purple.

Pretoria viewed from high up on the Voortrekker Monument. The Union building can be seen on the hill to the right of the picture
The magnificent Union Building houses the national government. Several of South Africa's past leaders have statues in the gardens below the building - this one is JBM Hertzog who was Prime Minister in the 1920s
The statue of Paul Kruger oversees the centre of a multi-racial city	The view from the Union Building - note the Vootrekker Monument on the horizon

Places to visit in Gauteng

More about Gauteng

Hotels in South Africa

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