johannesburg

OUT SPORT OF TOWN: & OUTDOORS
PRETORIA
61
Overshadowed by the sexier
Joburg, Pretoria’s main claim
to fame is as the administrative
capital of South Africa. It
was founded in 1855 and was
named after the Voortrekker
leader, Andries Pretorius. It
is also called the Jacaranda
City because of the thousands of trees that, each spring,
dress the city in a haze of purple blooms. Just 50km away,
Pretoria is a gentle antidote to Joburg’s bustle. The city
has a remarkably rich history that makes a visit worthwhile.
It is also known by its official name of Tshwane.
Getting there
Pretoria is a 40-minute drive on the M1 from Joburg.
Alternatively, you can reach it in a flash on the Gautrain.
The journey from Sandton to the centre of Pretoria takes
just over 25 minutes and costs R50.
Sightseeing
Church Square Pretoria Central. In the middle of the
square stands Dutch-born sculpture Anton van Wouw’s bronze
statue of Paul Kruger, the 19th-century South African leader
who became known as an icon of Boer resistance to British
rule. Van Wouw is regarded as the father of South African
sculpture. Nearby is the Palace of Justice, where Nelson
Mandela and his compatriots were tried and sentenced to
life in prison during the famous Rivonia Trial of 1964. Other
historic buildings include the Raadsaal (government) building,
the Capitol Theatre and the Nederlandsche Bank building.
Freedom Park Cnr Koch
St and 7th Ave, Salvokop,
Pretoria, tel. +27 12 336
4000/0800 470 740 (toll
free), www.freedompark.
co.za. South Africa’s history
and heritage is memorialised
in the 52-hectare
Freedom Park, which is themed around humanity, freedom
and healing. Visiting is a humbling experience as you get
to appreciate the different struggles along the path to democracy.
The most striking of the many thought-provoking
memorials is the vast Wall of Names that lists the heroes and
heroines who died in the fight to end political oppression in
the country. A guided tour is highly recommended. Combine
a visit with a trip to the nearby Voortrekker Monument for
a strikingly different perspective on the South African story.
QTours leave at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 and can last up to
two hours. Guided tours from R45.
Groenkloof Nature Reserve, tel. +27 12 440 8316,
www.tshwane.gov.za/Services/Nature%20Conservation.
Africa’s oldest game reserve is a green oasis just 4km
from the city centre. The reserve is home to giraffe, zebra,
blue wildebeest, ostrich, kudu, sable, impala and red hartebeest.
Because there aren’t any dangerous animals, visitors
can walk in the park. Groenkloof offers more than 17km of
hiking trails, a 14km 4x4 trail, 20km of mountain-biking trails,
overnight facilities and a picnic area. The guided horse trails
are excellent value for money at R110 for a two-hour ride.
QOpen summer (Sep-Apr) 05:30–19:00, winter (May-Aug)
07:00–18:00.
The Pretoria telephone
code is +27 (0)12
johannesburg.inyourpocket.com
Hatfield Square Hatfield,
Pretoria. The suburb of Hatfield,
home to the University of
Pretoria, is student central. To
get a taste of this visit Hatfield
Square for cheap eats and drinks.
For budget eats, grab a falafel
wrap at Uncle Faouzi’s; for cocktails
try Cheeky Monkey and for
something more upmarket lunch
at the trendy Ginger and Fig on
Lynwood Road. The Hatfield
Market is held on the last Sunday
of every month and is great for all
kinds of funky merchandise, chic
clothing, décor and art. The Hatfield Antiques & Collectables
Fair is held on the first Sunday of every month.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden Turn off N1 at
R104 (Pretoria St), tel. +27 12 348 1265. Pack a picnic
and head to the gardens for a walk along its paved nature
trails. There are over 70 hectares to explore filled with indigenous
vegetation. Enjoy lunch under the shady trees, or try to
identify some of the 198 bird species that live here.QOpen
08:00–18:00. Admission R50, children R10.
Pretoria Zoo 232 Boom St, Pretoria, tel. +27 12 328
3265, www.nzg.ac.za. Pretoria Zoo (officially the National
Zoological Gardens of South Africa) is the largest zoo in the
country and perfect for a family outing. Take comfy shoes
because the zoo features over 6km of walkways and is on
a slope. If you have young kids, it’s worth hiring a golf cart
to make the best of your day. Some of the more interesting
species include Komodo dragons, gorillas and okapi. The zoo
also features the biggest inland aquarium in the southern
hemisphere, a reptile park and over 200 bird species. A
highlight is the cable car, which runs to the top of a hill overlooking
the city, with panoramic 360-degree views of the animal
enclosures and beyond to the Union Buildings. A restaurant
and various kiosks as well as picnic spots and braai facilities
are available. The zoo gets very busy on weekends and
public holidays with busloads of families and church groups
picnicking on the grounds. Avoid the masses and visit on a
weekday.QOpen 08:30–17:30. Admission R75, kids R50.
Union Buildings Government Ave, Pretoria. Designed by
Sir Herbert Baker to mark the Union of South Africa in 1910,
the Union Buildings are the official office of the President. The
270m-long building is divided into three units, and is set on a
hill overlooking Pretoria. President Mandela was inaugurated
here in 1994. The name of the Union Buildings amphitheatre,
was changed to the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre following
his death. Mandela’s body lay here in state for three days
while South Africans queued to pay a last tribute to him. The
recently installed 9m-tall bronze statue by André Prinsloo and
Ruhan Janse van Vuuren became controversial after a bronze
bunny was discovered in the statue’s ear.
Voortrekker Monument Eeufees Rd, Groenkloof,
Pretoria, tel. +27 12 326 6770, www.vtm.org.za.
Pretoria’s most famous monument was inaugurated in 1938
to commemorate the Great Trek – the often treacherous
journey that Boer farming families undertook during the
1830s and 1840s from the Cape Colony to escape British
control. The imposing 40m-high granite structure is located
on a hill in the 240-hectare Voortrekker Monument and
Nature Reserve, which is also a great picnic spot. Look out
for the monthly Park Acoustics concerts that take place on
Fort Schanskop.QOpen winter (May–Aug) 08:00–17:00,
summer (Sep–Apr) 08:00–18:00. Admission R50, kids R25.
February - April 2014