South Africa: This street in Pretoria is one the most beautiful streets in the world!

UK-based property experts GetAgent recently conducted a study using eye-tracking software to reveal which streets around the world caught people's gaze the most. According to the study, Herbert Baker Street in Pretoria's residential suburb Groenkloof is the forth most eye-catching street in the world. The street is known for its rows of 100 white, rather than purple, jacarandas that are usually in bloom between September and November. 

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The study revealed that Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto (Japan) is the most beautiful street in the world, follwed by the Rue Principale in Rocamadour (France) and the Via Baldassarre Galuppi on Burano (Italy).

The 20 Most Eye-Catching Streets In The World:

1. Philosopher’s Path in Kyoto, Japan
2. Rue Principale in Rocamadour, France
3. Via Baldassarre Galuppi on Burano, Italy
4. Herbert Baker Street in Pretoria, South Africa
5. Lombard Street in San Francisco, USA
6. Circus Lane in Edinburgh, UK
7. The Circus in Bath, UK
8. Gold Hill in Shaftesbury, UK
9. Lijnbaansgracht in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10. Orchard Road in Singapore
11. Bourbon Street in New Orleans, USA
12. Cherry Blossom Avenue in Bonn, Germany
13. Quechua Street in Cusco, Peru
14. Rua do Bom Jesus in Recife, Brazil
15. Vicars' Close in Wells, UK
16. Rue de l'Abreuvoir in Paris, France
17. The Street in Castle Combe, UK
18. Arlington Row in Bibury, UK
19. Via Torre Belvedere in Perugia, Italy
20. Elm Hill in Norwich, UK

A list of 50 streets from around the world was compiled using desk research. A sample of 40 participants were shown a series of images of the streets, and eye-tracking software was used to record the number of times people looked at each image and the duration spent looking at them. The average fixation time was then used to rank each street according to how “attractive” it is.

Pretoria (Tshwane): The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is going cashless!

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden, located in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria, has announced that it is migrating to a card only payment system, phasing out cash payments. Cash will still be accepted, but the management of the National Botanical Gardens encourages visitors to make the switch to cashless as card payments are considered safer for visitors and staff.

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden in Pretoria is one of South Africa's thirteen National Botanical and Zoological Gardens managed by the the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is situated in 2 Cussonia Ave, Brummeria, Pretoria. It has a total size of 76 hectares, of which 50 hectares are devoted to developed garden, using almost exclusively South African plants. All the flowering plant species to be seen, including 50% of the country’s tree species, make this garden a botanical tapestry.
Pretoria National Botanical Garden's operational hours are daily from 09:00 to 18:00 with no entry after 17:00. The entrance fees are R45/adult, R30/student and R15/scholar. Free entry is provided for children under the age of 6 years and for senior citizens (60 years +, Tuesdays only).

Pretoria: Rietvlei Nature Reserve has introduced new operating hours!

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve, situated south east of Pretoria, has announced new operating hours. The Nature Reserve now operates daily between 07:00 and 18:00. Rietvlei Nature Reserve closes for the last visitor to enter at 16:00 to allow all visitors to make their way out of the Nature Reserve by 18:00. Visitors can only access the Nature Reserve through the main gate and all visitors entering the reserve will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms at the entrance. In line with the level three restrictions in South Africa, Rietvlei Nature Reserve's vehicle capacity is 100 vehicles per day, available on a first come, first served basis. All picnic spots, braai areas as well as the bird hides are closed to visitors. No alcohol is permitted in Rietvlei Nature Reserve.

The Rietvlei Nature Reserve surrounds and include the Rietvlei dam and is situated south east of Pretoria. The Nature Reserve covers an area of about 40km² and is home to a variety of different mammals including cheetah, leopard, bufallo, hippo, zebra and eland.

Pretoria (Tshwane): Voortrekker Monument reopens to the public!

The Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site in Pretoria (Tshwane) reopens to the public today (04 August 2020), following a four month closure (since 27 March 2020) due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Monument is open for visitors from Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 and 15:00. It will be closed on Mondays. The entrance fees have been reduced, so that visitors only have to pay half price until the end of February 2021. Visitors have to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations when visiting, including body temperature checks and the wearing of face masks during the visit. The Voortrekker Monument's library and archive centre is open but only by appointment.

The Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site is situated in a nature reserve just south of Pretoria (Tshwane) in South Africa's Gauteng Province. The unique monument was inaugurated in 1949 and commemorates the pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner. It was  declared a National Heritage Site by the South African Heritage Resource Agency in July 2011.

A new independent art centre has opened in Pretoria!

Pretoria has a new independent art centre aimed at exhibiting and exploring the art of Africa. The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) officially opened on South Africa's Heritage Day (24 September 2019) with four exhibitions. They include a collection of 101 signature works of South African art selected from collections around the country; the Javett Family Collection of South African modern art, an exhibition of significant gold pieces from the Mapungubwe Gold Collection, and AngloGold's Barbier-Mueller Collection of more than 350 items of gold from West Africa. The Javett-UP is situated on the south campus of the University of Pretoria and connects the university with the City of Tshwane via a bridge over Lynwood Road. 



Entrance prices range from R150 (GBP8 | €9 | US$10) for adults, R75 (GBP4 | €4.5 | US$5) for pensioners, and R50 (GBP2.5 | €3 | US$3.5) for under 18s. Entry is free for children under six and for university students who have a valid student card. Entrance is free for all on International Museum Day (18 May 2020), Youth Day, Heritage Day, Workers' Day and Women's Day. The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) is the result of collaboration between the University of Pretoria and the Javett Foundation, a South African charitable trust established in 2013 by the Javett family.

Tshwane: Free entry to museums from 16 - 25 May 2019!

Ditsong Museums of South Africa, an amalgamation of eight national museums, seven in Tshwane and one in Johannesburg, has announced that all museums in Tshwane will collaborate to celebrate International Museum Day (IMD) 2019, celebrated annually on 18 May. This year's IMD will focus on the new role of museums as active participants in their communities under the theme "Museums as Cultural Hubs: The future of tradition". The museums in Tshwane have planned a week-long programme from 16 - 25 May 2019 that includes free entry to all museums over this period. There will be a coordinated dialogue between youth and adults on this year's theme on 17 May 2019 at DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History in Tshwane from 10:00 – 12:00.

The following museums in Tshwane are participating in International Museum Week 2019:

• The City of Tshwane Museums including the Pretoria Art Museum, Melrose House and Fort Klapperkop.
• Ditsong: Museums of South Africa including the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Cultural History, National Museum of Military History, Kruger Museum, Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks Museum, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum.
• Voortrekker: Monument and Nature Reserve
• Freedom Park
• Geoscience Museum
• South African Police Services Museum
• South African Post Office Museum
• University of Pretoria Museums
• Veterinary Historical Society of South Africa
• South African Mint

Please note that, according to Ditsong's press release, entrance fees are still applicable at some museums (?) so please confirm before your visit. The museums have also developed special programmes for this period but prior booking is essential.

Pretoria: Church Square is set to re-open on 11 October 2018!

The project to rejuvenate Church Square in Pretoria's CBD has been completed. The City of Tshwane will therefore host a re-opening event to highlight the completition of the project. The event, which will inlude music acts and other activities, is set to take place on 11 October 2018 from 08:00 to 16:00.



Church Square is a square at the historic centre of the city of Pretoria. Built in 1855, the square is surrounded by the Palace of Justice, the Old Capitol Theatre, the Tudor Chambers, the Old Council Chamber (Ou Raadsaal) and the General Post Office. Church Square is the grandest civic square in Pretoria and among the great attractions in Gauteng.

Pretoria (Tshwane): Voortrekker Monument goes cashless!

The management of the Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site in Pretoria (Tshwane), including the adjacent restaurant and gift shop, has implemented cashless systems on side. Visitors who only have cash on hand will not be turned away, but it is recommended by the management of the monument that visitors rather consider paying with either a debit or credit card or purchase tickets online prior to their visit. 

The Voortrekker Monument Heritage Site is situated in a nature reserve just south of Pretoria (Tshwane) in South Africa's Gauteng Province. The unique monument was inaugurated in 1949 and commemorates the pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner. It was  declared a National Heritage Site by the South African Heritage Resource Agency in July 2011.

South African Airways and Airlink the first to offer flights between Pretoria <> Cape Town!

South Africa's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), and its feeder partner airline, Airlink, have formed a joint commercial venture which as a first ever will offer scheduled air services at Tshwane City’s Wonderboom Airport (PRY). Effective 16 August Airlink will operate a three times a day return service between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and the recently upgraded Wonderboom Airport using the SAA franchise intellectual property, including the SAA flight code (SA).

Flights from Cape Town to Wonderboom will depart at 06:45 with afternoon flights at 15:00 and 17:30; flights from Wonderboom to Cape Town will depart at 06:45 and 09:45 in the morning as well as at 17:45 in the afternoon. A 83 seater Avro RJ85 quad jet aircraft will be used to operate the route.

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Pretoria: Freedom Park & Voortrekker Monument to be linked

An access road between the previously divided, but neighbouring, Freedom Park and the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria will be opened by President Jacob Zuma and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe on this year's National Reconciliation Day celebration on Friday, 16 Dec 2011.

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Freedom Park was established in 2009 by the South African Department of Arts and Culture. The core function of the park is to provide a pioneering and empowering heritage destination that reflects South Africa's pre-colonial, colonial, apartheid and post apartheid experiences. It is aimed at contributing to mutual understanding and appreciation of various communities and nations.
The Voortrekker Monument, on the other hand, was inaugurated in 1949 as a unique monument which commemorates the pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner.

Tshwane to become largest city in South Africa

The City of Tshwane will become the largest metropolitan municipality in the country after the 18 May local government elections when it incorporates the Metsweding District Municipality.
This was confirmed by the city's Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa when presenting his first budget speech and the Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) for the 2011/12,2012/13 and 2013/14 financial years on Thursday.
"When Metsweding with its local municipalities, Nokeng tsa Taemane and Kungwini become part of the city, the new City of Tshwane will become the largest metropolitan municipality in South Africa, comprising of an area of 6 368km² and a population of just over 2.5 million."



He said this formed part of the proposed amendments of borders by the Gauteng Provincial Government, which will lead to the disestablishment of the Metsweding District Municipality.
This will also make the City of Tshwane the third largest city in the world in terms of land mass, after New York and Yokohama in Tokyo. The reconfigured Tshwane will also move from the current five regions and 76 wards to seven regions and 105 wards.
The mayor said the incorporation would also provide the city with new opportunities to diversify its revenue base. "The new areas will bring in valuable resources such as vast tracts of vacant, undeveloped, agricultural or farming communities, mining enterprises, eco-tourism, forestry and fishing."
The city will become the successor-in-law of all the Metsweding resources, assets, liabilities, rights, obligations and titles and all the administrative and other records.
In terms of the border amendments, the 2010/11 budget of Metsweding municipality remains in force until 30 June this year.
"The budget that we are presenting today is for the entire area of the new City of Tshwane," said the mayor. The total budget over the medium term is R66.3 billion, constituted by R19.06 billion for the 2011/12, R22.16 billion for the 2012/13 and R24.9 billion for 2013/14.
The total revenue increased by 16.3 percent against the 2010/11 adjustment budget and by 18.9 percent against the 2010/11 approved budget.
According to Ramokgopa the operating expenditure for the medium- term equates to R60.6 billion which will be a tool to consolidate service delivery and accelerate job creation. (via BuaNews)

2010 World Cup™ stadiums - Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria / Tshwane

Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld Stadium is one of the oldes stadiums in Southern Africa being used for major sporting events since 1903. The stadium got its first concrete structure, which could accommodate only 2,000 spectators, already in 1923. Located close to the heart of the city the venue is used for both rugby and football matches and is home to one of the country's top rugby teams, the Blue Bulls.

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Minimal upgrading was undertaken in order for Loftus Versfeld to qualify as a venue for first and second round matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
btw - Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national football team, achieved its first ever victory over a European side at Loftus Versfeld when they beat Sweden 1-0 in 1999.

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Loftus Versveld Stadium
Capacity: 50,000
match days: Saturday, 12 June | Wednesday, 16 June | Saturday, 19 June | Wednesday, 23 June | Friday, 25 June | Tuesday, 29 June

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FIFA World Cup 2010 - Tshwane/Pretoria

Pretoria is somehow Joburg's little sister - smaller (in almost any case), but not less lively. Being the administrative capital of South Africa and hosting most embassies, consulates etc. Pretoria evolved its own charme. Pretoria is only about a 45min drive from the airport, which makes the Jacaranda City the ideal "point of entry" when you are coming to Southern Africa.
All FIFA World Cup 2010 matches hosted in Pretoria are going to be played in the famous Loftus Versfeld stadium.

Loftus Versfeld is not only hosting stadium of the just played FIFA Confederations Cup and the next year FIFA World Cup 2010, it is also home to the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa's Premier Soccer League and the Blue Bulls Rugby team.

Loftus Versfeld & nearby budget accommodation options

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