The name “Pretoria” strikes an uneasy chord with many Europeans as it’s synonymous with the old apartheid rule. It is the administrative capital of South Africa and the population is largely made up of government postings.
The Jacaranda City, as it is also known, comes into full bloom in October when the city is lit up in a riot of purple flowers. It lacks the pace of Johannesburg which some people seek, and many prefer to commute to their larger neighbour on a daily basis.
Top visiting spots for the visitor should be the Pretoria Botanical Gardens, the Union Buildings (considered to be South Africa’s architectural masterpiece) and the Melrose House and Kruger House museums. For a bit of retail therapy, head for the Brooklyn Mall or the Hatfield Market.
