Capital of South Africa

South Africa or the Republic of South Africa is a country located in the southernmost part of Africa. South Africa has three capital namely, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town. The country has a long coastline in the south which is stretched along the Indian and South Atlantic oceans which is almost 2,798 kilometers. While in the north the country is neighbored by Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana, and in the east by Eswatini and Mozambique. Thus, the country also enjoys numerous cultures, languages, and religions. The country has also come a long way from the apartheid system and flourished in many ways. Let’s get to know more about the capital city of South Africa in the article. 

Now talking about the capitals, which are three because, the South African government is separated into three parts, each having a capital. This was done in order to ease down the administration and also another idea behind this was that having a single wealth would concentrate too much authority in a single place when the Union of South Africa was founded. The three capitals of South Africa are divided particularly on the basis of administrative, legislative, and judicial government, which makes things easy and clear.

Three Capitals of South Africa

1. Pretoria

Known as the executive branch of South Africa’s administration, Pretoria is one of the very important capitals of the country. Founded in the year 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, it is the house of the executive branch of government and also acts as the host for all important foreign embassies in South Africa. This city is the capital part of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality which was eventually formed by the amalgamation of numerous local authorities. 

2. Bloemfontein

The city is beautiful as its name, “Bloem” which also means flower. It is known as the judicial capital of South Africa and is the capital of the Free State Province. Bloemfontein is also the seventh-largest city in South Africa and hosts the honorary Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa, Sand du Plessis Theatre, Maselspoort Resort, and many other beautiful places. 

3. Cape Town

Now last but not least, Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa and one of the oldest cities in South Africa. Also, it is the most famous capital and is managed by the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. After Johannesburg, it is the second largest city and is also known as the Mother City. Cape Town is famous for its landmarks such as Cape Point and Table Mountain. The city has also been ranked as the best city to travel to in the world by New York Times and The Daily Telegraph. With its long coastline, on the Atlantic Ocean, it is also protecting a wide marine life.

Founded by the Dutch East India Company as a supply hub for its ships but wasn’t given the name and was used only for sailing ships to East Africa, India, and the Far East. But with the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck, the first permanent settlement of Britishers started in Cape Town in the year 1652. He also established VOC Cape Colony, for his people which eventually became the economic and cultural hub of the Cape Colony. The Dutch ruled the region until 1795 when the English took it. The Khoisan people lived at Table Mountain and the surrounding area long before the first Europeans arrived. It is thought that the Khoi people arrived in the Cape Peninsula with their enormous herds of Nguni cattle some 2000 years ago, making them some of the area’s earliest settlers. Cape Town, the capital of South Africa, was founded as a fueling point for ships heading to the East. The city is frequently referred to as the Mother of South Africa because it gave birth to civilization. 

Cape Town is a city & seaport in South Africa, as well as the provincial capital of the Western Cape region. The town is located near the northern extremity of the Cape Peninsula, about 50 kilometers north of the Cape of Good Hope.

Food, Culture, And Tourism In Cape Town

The capital city provides a colorful cuisine that is sure to delight the palate. They have dishes influenced by the indigenous population and the Dutch, French, Indians, and Malaysians. Cape Malay curry, malva pudding, biltong, and droewors are some of its delicious food items.

Due to the wide variety of cultures and religions present there, South Africa is well known as the “rainbow nation.” Thus making Cape Town a beautiful city too. Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, Khoisan, Hindu, and Afrikaner people are just a handful of the ethnic groups that call South Africa home. The city has the best beaches and freshwater forests that one can explore and get adventurous