Four things you didn't know about Pretoria

Pretoria is so much more than South Africa's administrative capital. It is well known as the home of jacarandas and for having one of South Africa's most widely respected universities. Over and above this, Pretoria is a fantastic place for you and your family to call home. Whether or not you're living in Pretoria, you can't deny that there are some fascinating anecdotes and facts about this well-loved metropolis.

Fact 1: It is home to one of the world's longest streets

Pretoria's main street, Stanza Bopape Street, which was formerly known as Church Street, is the longest urban street in South Africa! It is also one of the longest streets in the world. It stretches 26 kilometres, and a wide array of well-loved monuments and well-respected companies are located either on this street or in close proximity to it. These include Pretoria's Church Square and the Union Buildings. The embassies for a number of countries, including Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda and Libya are also situated within a stone's throw of Stanza Bopape Street. In case you were wondering, Stanza Bopape was one of the heroes who gave his life for the cause during the struggle for South Africa's freedom from Apartheid.

Fact 2: Pretoria is, for now, home to tens of thousands of jacarandas

One of the sights that will always be first to come to mind when one thinks of Pretoria is the jacaranda trees that line so many of this city's streets. According to various estimates, there are between 40 000 and 70 000 jacarandas in the city. Around October every year, they transform Pretoria into a spectacular showcase of purple, and it has long been discussed among students at the University of Pretoria that if you have not started studying for your exams by the time the jacarandas appear, you need to get started. In addition, there is a superstition that if a jacaranda flower falls on your head, you will pass all your papers. The unfortunate reality is that since these jacarandas are not native to South Africa, no new ones can be planted, and thus Pretoria will not always be fondly known as Jacaranda City.

Fact 3: Pretoria is home to South Africa's iconic Union Buildings

The Union Buildings are where you'll find the offices of the South African President. There is a fascinating story behind the positioning of this building: it was chosen for its similarity to the location of the Acropolis in Athens. The Union Buildings are a heritage landmark, and one of the most impressive and memorable of Pretoria's sights. These buildings have been first-hand witnesses to many moments in South African history, such as the historic pass law protests that took place on 9 August, 1956.

Fact 4: Pretoria was once home to the world's largest soccer ball

The world's largest soccer ball formed part of the celebrations of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and it could be seen for miles from its position atop Telkom's Lukasrand tower in Pretoria. It's hardly surprising that the ball temporarily transformed Pretoria's skyline, given that it weighed 50 tons, measured 24 metres across and had a height of eight storeys. At the time, the ball was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest football structure. The other amazing fact about this giant tribute to all things football is that it was made entirely from recyclable materials.

For a whole host of reasons, Pretoria is a fantastic place to call home. With great schools and universities, there can be no better place in South Africa to raise a family. Thanks to the huge variety of outdoor activities, diverse restaurant scene and wide range of cultural attractions, as well as a host of shopping malls and fun activities for the kids, there's never a dull moment to be had if you call Pretoria home. From large-scale family homes to complexes within secure estates, there's something to meet every family's needs in Pretoria. To find out more, view the properties for sale and to rent, or contact us with any questions that you might have.