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Pretoria is the political
and diplomatic hub of Gauteng province and is situated an hour’s
drive north of Johannesburg. The municipality is called Tshwane
and for now, the city itself is still Pretoria. Pretoria is
a multicultural city, with a decidedly international flair.
Although Pretoria has a strong Afrikaner flavour, English is
used widely here. You can also hear a combination of languages
spoken on the streets - anything from south Sotho to Mandarin.
The Union Buildings, the Voortrekker Monument, the University
of South Africa and the State Theatre are all architectural
attractions that give Pretoria its character. So does Loftus
Versfeld, one of the most famous sports stadiums in South Africa.
Worth a view are the Pretoria Zoo and the Tswaing crater in
the Tswaing Nature Reserve, where a meteor slammed into the
earth. The National Zoological Gardens - known to the locals
simply as "the zoo" - is a fetching stretch of greenery
located right in the heart of the city, on the banks of the
Apies River. |
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Poolside
barbecues, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting, game viewing, adventure
sports (sky diving, micro-light flying) - these are all popular
Pretoria entertainment activities. If there is a sport you'd
like to pursue, or simply watch or research, chances are one
of its main bases is in Pretoria.
The Transvaal Museum in Paul Kruger Street tells of the area's
natural history with animal, bird, archaeological and geological
displays - 'bones and stones', if you will. The Rietvlei Nature
Reserve and Rietvlei Dam is home to small antelope, lovely trees
and scenic picnic spots. The Wonderboom Nature Reserve borders
the Magaliesburg area and is rich in historical artifacts.
Art lovers who appreciate African and Southern African art should
visit the Pretoria Art Museum in Arcadia. The National Cultural
History Museum is also rich in expressions of rock art, Ndebele
murals and various historic gold and silver artifacts.
Attractions
Known as the Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked
trees, which line its thoroughfares, Pretoria is a lovely, quiet
city. It has a long, involved and fascinating history. Here
you will find significant old buildings and fascinating museums.
The Transvaal Museum has natural history displays and is the
home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at Sterkfontein
in the Cradle of Humankind. Also worth visiting are the Cultural
History Museum and Smuts Museum in Irene, outside Pretoria.
Sedate, leafy Pretoria tends to endure a Cinderella complex
when compared with the neighbouring city of Johannesburg. When
it comes to world class cities, Johannesburg is one of the most
‘happening’ cities on the African continent and
the city gleams with the glamour of money. Pretoria has been
left to shrug off its former association with the apartheid
government in a relative state of slumber, lying as it does
in a warm, sheltered valley surrounded by the hills of the Magaliesberg
range that ensure that temperatures here are invariably a few
degrees warmer than Johannesburg.
But don’t let the sleepy nature of the pretty city lull
you into a false perception. Pretoria has a beauty all of its
own, and the slow pace of life is regarded as a bonus by its
residents. Many Jo’burgers seek a quieter existence in
Pretoria, prepared to commute daily rather live in the comparative
rat race. Wall flower the city is not. When in full bloom in
October, Pretoria literally comes alive with blossoms and leaves
no one in doubt as to the origin of its nickname - Jacaranda
city.
Pretoria functions as one of three capitals of South Africa
with a population that exceeds a million people, the bulk of
whom are government officials. The city centre is laid out in
typical city fashion on a grid with wide roads, making getting
around fairly simple.
Pretoria’s potential name change to Tshwane (the city
lies in the greater Metropolitan municipality of Tshwane) was
approved by the names’ council in 2005 but still lacks
endorsement by the Minister of Arts And Culture, remaining ‘under
consideration’, which may or may not have something to
do with the hue and cry that ensued at the onset of the name
change. Practically mandatory when visiting the city are the
Pretoria Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, the Union Buildings and
various museums and galleries that include Melrose House, the
Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks museum, and the Voortrekker Monument.
Outdoor activities include the Wonderboom and Groenkloof Nature
Reserves, the Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, and a steam train
ride around Pretoria.
Annlin, Pretoria
The pretty emerging suburb of Annlin lies minutes outside of
the city centre to the north of Pretoria, in the crook of Zambesi
Drive in the shadow of the Magaliesberg Mountains. Lying just
outside of Pretoria gives Annlin several advantages. Not only
is it relatively free of traffic congestion and thus pollution,
but it is also a green and leafy suburb with good access to
the N1 north of here, making it an ideal place to overnight
if you are heading off to Polokwane and beyond.
In this part of Pretoria, people still manage to annexe small
holdings for themselves, and, despite the development (townhouse
complexes tend to have mushroomed around Annlin), there remains
a feeling of country living to the suburb.
To augment this image as a ‘place in the country’,
Annlin lies close to the Wonderboom Nature Reserve and is worth
a visit if only to catch a glimpse of the incredible wild fig
trees. One particular specimen is believed to be well over a
thousand years old, although all that remains of it is a 5.5
metre diameter trunk in the middle of the nature reserve. All
around it are the tree’s ‘offspring’ - branches
from the original specimen drooped downwards, put out roots
and set up an entirely new circle of wild fig trees.
One is also within easy driving distance of Onderstepoort Nature
Reserve, a pretty leafy reserve that is ideal for bird watching
and part of an area of rehabilitated bushveld. If you have further
time to explore outside of Pretoria (the city centre is also
filled with historical features) then head off to the Tswaing
Meteorite Crater, north of Annlin by roughly 30 kilometres.
Arcadia, Pretoria.
Arcadia is a suburb in Pretoria known for its historical buildings,
embassies and hotels. The Union Buildings as well as the President's
residence are also situated here.
Interestingly, Andries Francois du Toit was the original owner
of the land on which the Union Buildings were built. In addition,
he was Pretoria’s first magistrate and was responsible
for the layout of the city. During this period he sold his land,
called Arcadia, to Stephanus Jacobus Meintjies after whom the
hill in Arcadia is named. The Union Buildings form the official
seat of the South African government and also house the offices
of the President of South Africa. These grand buildings sit
on Meintjies Kop and overlook Pretoria.
Pretoria has the second largest number of embassies in the world,
after Washington, D.C., most of which are located in or near
Arcadia. The main road is Park Street on which the US Embassy
compound can be found. Other attractions situated on Park Street
is the spectacular Pretoria Art Museum in its Mid-Century Modernist
building, The Gerard Moerdyk Restaurant which serves traditional
colonial African meals in a house built in 1920 by this famous
architect, as well as Loftus Versfeld Stadium where local and
international rugby as well as soccer matches are played and
can be seen.
The University of Pretoria is also near Arcadia. With a total
of approximately 38 499 students, this university is the country's
largest residential university. Arcadia is home to trendy shopping
malls, nightclubs to satisfy the abundance of students, upmarket
residential areas, world class restaurants and other entertainment
facilities. The amenities as well as important monuments and
fascinating architectural buildings make Arcadia a must to experience.
Brooklyn, Pretoria.
Brooklyn is a suburb of the city of Pretoria, South Africa.
Brooklyn is a well-established, sought-after area, lying to
the east of the city centre. It borders the University of Pretoria
to its north and the suburbs of Groenkloof and Waterkloof to
its south. Brooklyn is also the site of the well known Pretoria
Boys High School.
Brooklyn encompasses high-end residential properties as well
as several upmarket mall developments. One of the most popular
and regularly visited malls is The Brooklyn Mall. With more
than 170 awesome and diverse stores, The Brooklyn Mall is both
classy but vibrant. Many shoppers are students from the nearby
University of Pretoria. There is always something happening
at this lively mall and definitely a shopper’s paradise.
From cinemas to clothing stalls to entertainment facilities,
there is something here for everyone.
World class restaurants and hip coffee shops line the streets
filling the air with delightful and enticing aromas. Take a
leisurely stroll down these streets and explore the spectacular
architecture, curio shops and book stalls.
Another attraction in Brooklyn is the Art House on Brooklyn.
This exclusive and luxurious Art House lures art lovers from
all over to visit the exhibitions of work by various South African
artists. The art works vary from fine art paintings, contemporary
paintings, woodwork and sculptures made out of iron and ceramics.
There are wonderful stalls and textiles from the Far East. These
include hand woven carpets, oil paintings, bowls and much more.
A visit here is a must!
Brummeria, Pretoria.
Lying just east of the city centre of Pretoria, Brummeria is
literally just up the road from the CSIR, Pretoria’s council
for scientific and industrial research that has its own convention
centre dedicated to conferences and functions, so it is not
difficult to imagine that Brummeria is fairly popular amongst
visitors to these events.
Aside from the obviously interesting work that the CSIR carries
out, it doesn’t necessitate a visit, however, there are
a fair number of attractions in and around Brummeria that make
staying here worthwhile. The Pretoria Botanical Gardens provide
a relaxed environment perfect for family picnics and exploring
a wealth of garden that includes 50% of the country’s
tree species. The gardens are filled with birds; there are beautiful
green lawns beneath glorious shade trees and various special
gardens like the collections of medicinal plants.
Other places to visit include the open air Pioneer Museum in
Silverton. This is a lovingly restored farm that belonged in
the past to the Mundt family that includes the original Voortrekker
cottage - made up of mud and anthills to form clay walls - and
reconstructed farmyard complete with animals and farm tools.
See demonstrations of wheat grinding, bread making and milking.
Conversely, head out to Sammy Marks Museum on the old tarred
road to Bronkhorstspruit. The original homestead, Swartkoppies,
includes much of the original furniture and other household
items, and is a popular place to visit for tea.
Clydesdale,
Pretoria.
The pretty, leafy suburb of Clydesdale, which lies almost midway
between Brooklyn and Sunnyside is set in an ideal position for
getting around Pretoria. Clydesdale is close to both UNISA and
the University of Pretoria and about 500 metres from the Loftus
sports stadium, incredibly popular whenever there’s a
rugby match in town.
Local bus routes are easily accessible, and getting into the
centre of Pretoria to visit local landmarks and museums, provided
you furnish yourself with a local timetable, is easy. Try to
find the time for tea at Melrose House, across from Burger’s
Park. The museum is also worth visiting, but tea in this gorgeous
Victorian mansion is a must. Both Clydesdale and Brooklyn are
the chosen residences of a number of foreign embassies so the
neighbourhood is quiet and safe and properties very far from
small.
The Groenkloof Nature Reserve, a wonderful green expanse set
right in the heart of Pretoria, is close to Clydesdale. It has
a network of hiking trails, which cross over mountain slopes
and grassy plains where one can often spy a giraffe or zebra
and a wide variety of birds; mountain bike routes, as well as
an auto interpretive route. There are braai areas set under
tall trees and the reserve makes for a lovely outing.
The popular Union Buildings, designed by Sir Herbert Baker and
possibly one of the most recognised buildings in the country,
are on the other side of Arcadia, not far from Clydesdale, and
you can get there by foot, if you’re up to a walk.
Colbyn, Pretoria
Situated virtually alongside or to the east of the Union Buildings,
perhaps the most recognised buildings in South Africa today,
Colbyn is one of the older suburbs in Pretoria, its jacaranda-lined
streets and large properties a solid combination that preserves
a feeling of peace and tranquillity, despite being within walking
distance of restaurants, shopping centres and major avenues
for traffic. Colbyn is only 10 minutes from the centre of Pretoria,
with access to various museums, monuments, green spaces, theatre,
art galleries and historic buildings. The Union Buildings, which
changed overnight from a symbol of white oppression to one of
harmony, has not only some of the world’s most beautiful
examples of sandstone architecture, but the surrounding terraced
gardens, within walking distance of Colbyn, are well worth a
visit. Interestingly, the statue of the country’s first
president, General Louis Botha, remains among a number of monuments
that embellish the lawns here. And the view from the top of
the building of the city below is quite lovely at night, although
probably not all that safe.
The Hatfield shopping mall and entertainment centre is easily
accessed from Colbyn and you’re not far from a few of
the major highways in and out of Pretoria. The zoo too is an
easy trip from Colbyn and is regarded as one of the finest in
the world. It may lie right in the heart of Pretoria, but it
is 80 hectares of greenery that houses 97 mammals and 161 bird
species and well worth a visit.
Constantia
Park, Pretoria
The leafy and well established suburb of Pretoria, Constantia
Park, lies some 15 kilometres from the centre of Pretoria to
the south-east of the city. Constantia Park is a pretty suburb
with modern homes just down the road from the Menlyn Shopping
Centre, the largest mall in Pretoria packed with shops, movie
houses, restaurants and coffee shops - providing plenty to do
and see.
Your access to the N1 from here is also good, so getting around
Pretoria and through to Johannesburg is relatively easy. Both
the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, a green space right in the heart
of the suburbs of Pretoria with a network of hiking and mountain
bike trails, and the Rietvlei Nature Reserve, one of the world’s
largest urban nature reserves, are close enough to warrant an
outing. You’re also fairly close to the Waterkloof golf
course, the Zwartkops golf course, built around the Hennops
River in Centurion, and the Wingate park golf course, making
Constantia Park an obvious choice for the golf club fanatic.
Pretoria is not short of things to do. The city centre has a
wealth of museums, historic buildings and monuments. There is
also the zoo, a favourite amongst visitors, particularly because
of the cable car, which provides a bird’s eye view of
the lion enclosure and is great fun for kids. The bird park
in the Nieu Muckleneuk Trim Park is a wonderful ‘green’
outing that has a playground for little ones, a wonderful lookout
point to study the array of birds here and a restaurant. If
you’re a bird lover, or just need a tranquil break from
it all, this is one of the ‘hidden’ gems of Pretoria. |
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