Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa, is in Gauteng. The area known today as Tshwane Metro Councill, with Pretoria (City) at its centre, was occupied by the Sotho people for many centuries. During the 15th century the Ndebele people also migrated into the area and settled along the banks of what is today called the Apies River. Around 1820 the Matabele under the leadership of Mzilikaza also entered the region, leading to local conflicts between the Matabele newcomers and the already established Sotho and Ndebele tribes as well as the European Voortrekkers who were steadily moving northward through the country. These conflicts came to an end when the Matabele were defeated by the Voortrekkers in 1837 at Mosega.
By 1855 there was no known tribe in what is known as Pretoria area today. Only nomadic groups passed through this area, with a leader/person Tshwane (so it is alleged) one of the them. Pretoria was founded in 1855. Initially the capital of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek was Ohrigstad, but Pretoria became the capital of the then ZAR. Later on Pretoria became the capital of the Transvaal province (old ZAR) after the Anglo-Boer War. The city was named after Andries Pretorius, the boer leader at the Battle of Blood River where the Voortrekkers defeated the Zulus under King Dingaan. In 1856 the area today know as Arcadia was acquired in exchange for a pony and added to the town.
In 1899, during the Anglo-Boer War, Winston Churchill was captured and held as a POW in Pretoria until his eventual escape to Mozambique. British forces captured Pretoria in 1900 and held control over the city until the signing of the Peace of Vereeniging treaty in 1902.
When the Union of South Africa was established in 1910, Pretoria was elected the capital and is still the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa today.
PLACE TO VISIT
Botanical Gardens, Open 8AM to 6PM daily. R15 entrance fee (R18 on special event days).
National Zoological Gardens (The Zoo), Aquarium, reptile park and all the larger mammals. One can also camp within the zoo on Friday and Saturday nights. R10 for secure parking plus R36 entrance fee. For those not inclined to walking, golf carts are available at R80 per hour.
The Union Buildings, The location of the South African government.
The Wonderboom (Wonder tree), Wonderboom Nature Reserve,. A fig tree over 1000 years old.
Correctional Services Museum, Open 9AM to 3PM Monday to Friday. edit
Melrose House Museum, Where the peace treaty that ended the Anglo-Boer War as signed in 1902.
National Cultural History Museum, Learn about the people and the cultures of South Africa, from the Iron age till today. (Wheelchair friendly).
Pioneer Museum, Open 9AM to 4PM daily. An old pioneer house R7 entrance fee.
Sammy Marks Museum, Zwartkoppies,
Transvaal Museum,
Voortrekker Monument and Fort Scanskop, R32 per person (plus R15 per car).
Freedom Park, Salvokop of Potgieter Street
Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum,
Kruger House Museum, 60 Church Str,
WHAT TO DO
Friends of the Rail, Take a step back in time and circle Pretoria on a steam train or visit Cullinan, birth place of the worlds largest diamond.
Groenkloof Nature Reserve, 5:30AM to 7PM in summer and 7AM to 8PM in winter. Walk, mountainbike, go on a 4x4 drive or stay over in the second oldest nature reserve in the world. See giraffe, antelope and many other animals. R15 entrance fee, R35 (with R300 refundable deposit) for an overnight hut (sleeps 12), R50 per day for mountainbike hire, R100 for guided walks, R40 for access to the 4x4 trial (R250 if you get stuck and call for a recovery vehicle).
Austin Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Open 7AM to 5PM (6PM in summer). Free entrance.
Wonderboom Nature Reserve, Open 7AM to 6PM, entrance until 4PM. Not much wildlife, some Dassies at most. A very old fig tree
HOW TO REACH
By air - The closest international airport is OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The Albertina Sisulu Highway or R21 leads from there to Pretoria. Airport shuttles are available on the airport or can be pre-booked.
By car - Five highways join in the Gauteng region, making it accessible from all cities in the country. This would include the N1, N3, N4, N12 and N14 national highways.
By bus - Major bus companies like Greyhound, Translux, Intercape Mainliner and the BazBus offer connections to all big cities in South Africa.
By train - The train station is on the corner of Andries and Railway streets, just south of the city centre.
There are frequent commuter trains to Johannesburg, other outlying towns and many suburbs of Pretoria. The railway system is unreliable and notoriously unsafe, and is best avoided.
There are inter-city trains to Johannesburg (south), Polokwane, Musina (north), Witbank, Nelspruit and the Mozambique border (east).
A high-speed rail link is being constructed between Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg. It should be at least partially complete by 2010.
