Africa Adventure

Before the days when they were deemed alien invaders, an abundance of Jacaranda trees made Pretoria famous, but the luxuriant purple blooms were not the city’s only hallmarks. Like Cape Town, Pretoria is a political stronghold, steeped in political history.

You can’t visit Pretoria without seeing the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government. Its location was chosen particularly for its similarity to the Greek acropolis, a study in the seat of power. The site and building design were intended to inspire loyalty and unity in all citizens. Regardless of whether its intention was achieved, the unique architecture is inspiring by itself.

Far from being a throwback to South Africa’s tainted political past, the Union Buildings are also a symbol of its hope and future. In 1994, the country’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, chose the buildings as the site for his inauguration.