Are you ready to visit Pretoria?
Let me tell you a little about this city which is about 45 km or 29 miles from OR Tambo airport.
Pretoria, one of the three capital cities in South Africa, serves as the administrative capital of South Africa and is host to all the foreign embassies in South Africa. It was established 18 November 1855 by Marthinus W. Pretorius, who named the city in honour of his father, the Boer leader Andries Pretorius. Initially established as a settlement for the Voortrekkers who were Dutch-speaking pioneers escaping British rule in the Cape, Pretoria quickly grew into a vital political and cultural centre for the South African Republic, or Transvaal, as it was then known. Its strategic location and rapidly increasing population allowed it to develop a unique identity, blending European influences with indigenous cultures.
Throughout its history, Pretoria has been at the forefront of significant political events, especially during the turbulent times of the Anglo-Boer Wars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city endured occupation by British forces and later served as a crucial hub during the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Post-apartheid, Pretoria has transformed further, symbolizing both the challenges and hopes of a diverse nation. Today, it stands as a vibrant city known for its beautiful jacaranda trees, historical landmarks like the Union Buildings, and its role in shaping South Africa’s political landscape.
The best time of the year to visit Pretoria is during Spring, the months of September and October when you’ll be able to see thousands of Jacaranda trees in bloom. It is a beautiful site to see!
One of the historical landmarks in Pretoria is the Voortrekker Monument which stands 40 metres high and has a base of 40 metres by 40 metres. The building shares architectural resemblances to the Dome des Invalides in Paris, France and the Volkerschlachtdenkmal in Leipzig, Germany. The two main points of interest in side the building are the Historical Frieze and the Cenotaph. The main entrance of the building leas into the domed Hall of Heroes, a massive space flanked by four huge arched windows made from yellow Belgian glass.
The main entrance of the building leads into the domed Hall of Heroes. This massive space, flanked by four huge arched windows made from yellow Belgian glass, contains the unique marble Historical Frieze which is an intrinsic part of the design of the monument. It is the biggest marble frieze in the world. The frieze consists of 27 bas-relief panels depicting the history of the Great Trek, illustrating Voortrekkers of 1835 up to the signing of the Sand River Convention in 1852. In the centre of the floor of the Hall of Heroes is a large circular opening through which the Cenotaph in the Cenotaph Hall can be viewed.
The Cenotaph, situated in the centre of the Cenotaph Hall, is the central focus of the monument. In addition to being viewable from the Hall of Heroes it can also be seen from the dome at the top of the building, from where much of the interior of the monument can be viewed. Through an opening in this dome a ray of sunlight shines at twelve o’clock on 16 December annually, falling onto the centre of the Cenotaph, striking the words ‘Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika’ (Afrikaans for ‘We for you, South Africa’), a line from the anthem of South Africa. The ray of light symbolises God’s blessing on the lives and endeavours of the Voortrekkers when on 16 December 1838 the Battle of Blood River took place, which was commemorated in South Africa before 1994 as the Day of the Vow.
