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Pretoria Union Buildings. photo by Leo za1.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Union Buildings, Pretoria

The Union Buildings  form the official seat of the South African government. It holds the office of the South African President.

They occupy the highest point of Pretoria and are regarded as a South African National Heritage Site.

Their construction began in November 1st 1910 and  they became one of the centers of political life in South Africa. In general, they became an iconic landmark in Pretoria and South Africa.

The Union Buildings became a symbol of democracy and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. A tour of the Union Buildings is highly recommended.

Let’s learn more about the Union Buildings.

1. The Union Buildings were Built in a Spectacular Style

The Union Buildings in Pretoria. Photo by Paul saad.

The buildings were designed by architect sir Herbert Baker. They were built from light sandstone and  in a spectacular style , reaching a height of 285 meters.

They form a semi-circular shape with the buildings set in two wings on separate sides. This design  represents the union of a formerly divided people. The two building wings also represent  the two languages of the people of South Africa i.e. English and Afrikaans.

The design of the inner court was built to symbolize the union of South Africa.

2. Constructing the Union Buildings Cost more than £1.3M 

The Union Building’s cornerstone was laid in November 1910, this was immediately after the Union of South Africa was formed. Construction was completed in 1913.

In general, there was a total cost of £1,310,640 for the buildings and £350,000 for the building site.

3. The Buildings have played host to several Presidential Addresses

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, at the joint press conference, at Union Buildings, in Pretoria on May 02, 2012. Photo by President’s Secretariat (GODL-India).

Nelson Mandela gave his inaugural address in Sandton City in Nelson Mandela square. A statue was commissioned to stand on the spot where he stood after his death.

Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president. This came to be after the end of apartheid. 

On 10 Dec 2013, the Union Buildings amphitheater was renamed the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre. On 16 Dec 2013, a statue of Mandela was stationed at the Union building. The statue stands 9 metres high and is made of bronze.

4. The Union Building Holds Various Monuments, statues and Memorials

Mandela statue, Union Buildings, Pretoria. Photo by Gray Moon Gallery

The ground holds various monuments, statues and memorials. A large statue of general Louis bother who was the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa. It was located at the bottom of the garden. The statue was of the general on a horseback.

In the union buildings, there was a memorial of Delville Woodward. It was a tribute to the south African troops who died during the first world war.

Mandela’s statue replaced the statue of General J.B.M who was a former prime minister. The statue can still be found on the ground. At the top right of the garden was the location of the South Africa police memorial.

5. There’s a Strict Rule on the Height of the Buildings that Surround the Union Buildings

Union Buildings, Pretoria. Photo by Karin Olivier

There is a law in Pretoria that limits the height of any buildings between the Voortrekker monument and the Union Buildings. In a way that the view between them remains undisturbed.

This is because of the significance of the Voortrekker monument and the Union Buildings in the national consciousness.

6. The Union Buildings hold Various Duties and Powers

As the seat of the South African government,  the Union Building shared duties with Cape Town. Pretoria shared duties with Cape Town and Bloemfontein as the capital city of South Africa.

The Union Buildings in Pretoria and the Tuynhuys in Cape Town are the official seats of the president.

7. The Union Buildings have witnessed historic protests and celebrations

In August 9, 1956, 20,000 women marched to the doors of the Union Buildings, chanting “Wathint’ Abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo!” which means “strike the women, strike the rock”.

They did this to protest against the passed laws of 1950. This historical event is observed by the public holiday National Women’s Day.

On 31 December 1999 the South African flagship Millennium celebration was held at the Union Buildings. Among other people in attendance were the then Deputy President Jacob Zuma and other ministers.

8. The Union Buildings has a Lush Green Garden

The garden of the Union Buildings. Photo by PIERRE ANDRE LECLERCQ.

The Union Buildings garden was laid out by the architect Herbert Baker, Chief Conservator of Forest.s CE Legat and Dr IB Pole Evans, director of the Botanical Survey.

The terraces are incredibly celebrated by Chinese visitors. The entire grounds are under supervision – there are even cameras hidden in trees.

It’s not uncommon to spot a snake make its way to the terraces. The policy is to harbour wildlife sheltered in the conservatory and wild areas encompassing the formal garden may be harmed, barely relocated to a more private part of the grounds.

9. A Group of Students Tried to Break Down a Fence at the Union Buildings

Union Buildings in Pretoria. photo by Ossewa.

Some protesting students tried to bring down the fencing at the south gardens at the Union Buildings. This was ahead of a mass gathering that was to be held at the Union Buildings garden.

Huge groups of students shook the fence that precludes entry to the buildings. Others endeavored to break a lock on a nearby gate.

Some of the students were pulling off part of the metal on the fence. Moreover, others had climbed a nearby tree and were only a small jump away from being on the other side of the fence.

President Jacob Zuma was meeting student leaders and the association teams of different universities at the buildings. This is when the incident happened.

The president was also expected to address the protesters. University of Pretoria students had arrived a few minutes before the president. while other students were on the lawns from earlier in the day.

10. The Attractions and Activities Around the Union Buildings

It is easily accessible by cars with free public parking. It can also be reached by public transport .pedestrians and joggers have free access from the various side of the garden.

Unfortunately the inner of the buildings are not open to the public but visitors can walk right up to them. The terraced gardens and lawns present many spots and angles from which to photograph this magnificent structure.

During the day there are arts and crafts for sale next to the parking area and one might even spot a local artist busy sketching pictures of their surroundings. The public spaces are open until late in the evening and the parking area and grounds are well patrolled by police. At night many people come here by car for a quick stop to enjoy the view of the city’s night lights.

It’s not only tourists who visit this landmark. This beautiful attraction is equally loved by the locals and residents of Pretoria. Couples take long romantic walks and families have picnics while administrators and politicians can be spotted taking a quick alleviation and taking a photo before rushing back to a meeting.

Joggers can be seen circumnavigating the public grounds in the afternoon and evening. Students go for an open-air gym session or to play some rugby. many locals just come here to take an afternoon nap