PRETORIA

South Africa has 3 capitals.  Pretoria, situated in the Gauteng Province serves as the Administration and de facto capital with Cape Town (Western Province) the Legislative and Bloemfontein (Free State) the Judicial capitals. Contrary to popular belief, Johannesburg is not one of the 3 capitals of South Africa, but is the capital of the Gauteng Province.  In addition to the three capitals each of the 9 provinces of SA has its own capital.

Provinces and their capitals
Gauteng - Johannesburg
North West - Mafikeng
Eastern Cape - Bisho
Kwazulu Natal - Pietermaritzburg
Limpopo - Polokwane
Mpumalanga - Nelspruit
Western Cape - Cape Town
Free State - Bloemfontein
Northern Cape -Kimberley


Pretoria was founded in 1855 and named after Andries Pretorius, a Voortrekker (emigrant pioneers) leader from 1838 to 1852. He played an important role as Commandant General during the Battle of Blood River (1838) as well as the Battle of Boomplaats. (1848)

The Battle of Blood River was fought on the banks of the Ncome River in Kwazulu Natal between 400+ Voortrekkers and  approximately 15,000 Zulus.  Casualties amounted to 3000 Zulus killed and  only 3 Voortrekkers slighty injured, amongst them Andries Pretorius.

The Battle of Boomplaats took place near Bloemfontein (Jagersfontein) in August 1848, between the British and the Voortrekkers.  The Voortrekkers were defeated and fled to the Transvaal (Gauteng).

One of the most well known landmarks in South Africa is, of course, the Union Buildings, which is situated in Pretoria and holds the official seat of the South African government. It also houses the Presidency. 

In 1994 Nelson Mandela was sworn in as South Africa's first democratically elected president and the inauguration took place at the Union Buildings.  In 2013 the whole world bid this icon farewell and his body returned to the Union Buildings where he lay in state prior to his funeral.

Union Buildings  Photo Gauteng Tourism

Pretoria is also called the Jakaranda City, because of the many Jakaranda trees that adorn the city during October and November each year. Pretoria's Jakarandas are a sight for sore eyes when they are in bloom.

Pretoria 

In 1947 Dr. Robert Broom discovered Mrs. Ples, the Australopithecus fossil, at the Sterkfontein Caves, also known as the Cradle of Humankind. Today the fossil is kept in the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. It confirms Darwin's idea that mankind had its origins in Africa.

Mrs. Ples - Transvaal Museum Pretoria

My trip to Pretoria took me through places like Heidelberg, Kempton Park, Benoni and Petit where Charlise Theron, South Africa's golden girl, grew up. It finally ended with a knock on Laura's door.

Laura and I have been friends for 40+ years.  She is a nature lover and a bird expert.  I had the benefit of my own personal tour guide when we explored the Moraletta Kloof Nature Reserve.  Looking at nature through Laura's eyes, is quite an experience.  All I can say is: "She knows Mother Earth and the creatures that dwell its air, its soil and its waters!"

Laura

We went for long energy-boosting-walks

We strolled down memory lane with midnight-talks
and sinner-snacks, it seemed

We laughed, we cried, we gossiped and we dreamed

Protea

Kloof

Bobbejaanstert/Monkey  tail

Within touching distance from them

Visiting Roodeplaat Dam and the Botanical Gardens all added to many fun-filled hours spent in and around Pretoria.  Roodeplaat Dam is a concrete dam on the Pienaars River, situated 22 km North East of Pretoria. The tranquility at the park makes it the ideal place for bird watching, game viewing, angling, picnics, braais and water sports.

Roodeplaat Dam

A variety of indigenous as well as exotic plants and trees can be seen in the well-kept Pretoria Botanical Gardens. It is one of 9 botanical gardens in South Africa and was officially opened as a research facility in 1958.  

Some of the jewels hidden in the garden are the herbarium, the succulent garden, Ndebele cottages, the medicinal patch and plenty of ideas on how to create your own designer garden. 

Beautiful sculptures are also on display and the garden is easily accessible to people with disabilities. For refreshments it offers the visitor a choice of a restaurant or a lovely tea-garden.  Summer months are a-buzz with outdoor activities and concerts.
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Ndebele Cottages

Ndebele Cottages

Rock-splitting fig tree

The Red-Leaved Rock Fig starts life as a small seed among the rocks. As it grows, the roots squeeze their way into cracks to seek moisture.  In doing so, they split the rock into smaller pieces. Many animals feed on the fruits of the fig tree and the white milky sap of the fruit are used as antiseptic for wounds.

Pretoria Botanical Gardens

The highlight of my visit to Pretoria was of course the precious hours spent with family and longtime special friends.

Dirk, my brother-in-law

With Kobie

Celesta, my niece with her dad Dirk

Laura's Mom

With Tries

It therefore came as no surprise that I left Pretoria with a tear in my eye.  Luckily I have boxes of memories stored in my heart and hundreds of photos to take with me on my journey to nowhere.