PRETORIA DAILY PHOTO

Wine Cellar

2010-12-28T22:14:00.002+02:00

Whilst on Holiday in the Western Cape we visited Franschoek, a picturesque town flanked by mountains on three sides. Thereafter we visited the La Motte wine farm. Of course one has to do some wine tasting during your visit. The settings at this farm were idyllic. The wine tasting room with its decor is magnificent. Adjacent to the room is this large wine cellar with an impressive array of casks that are sustained at a specific temperature.

There are dozens of wine farms in this area that contibutes to the bulk of the production in South Africa. The countryside is scenic and a pleasure to drive through.

2010-12-27T16:36:00.002+02:00

Whilst on vacation in the Southern Cape I took a shot of this interesting tree on the banks of a lagoon. A perfect candidate to convert into a black and white shot. The town of Kleinmond is about 100 kilometers east of Cape Town. Many of these sea side towns have only about a third of their houses that are permanently occupied. The rest are vacation homes and the population swells during the month of December and other peaks seasons during the year. I spite of this the area is quite and affords one the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Hermanus, not far from this town, is rather busy during the vacation seasons. And, it is a hive of activity when the Humpback wales are calving.

Jakaranda Spring

2010-10-07T06:38:00.002+02:00

Once again the Jakarandas are in full bloom. The city is bathed in purple with flowers. It keeps many street sweepers busy as they fall to the ground. Spring days are hot in Pretoria with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius at midday.

Gautrain Progress

2010-10-03T08:23:00.007+02:00

June 28, 2008

August 19, 2009

June 21, 2010

The changing landscape of the motorway between Johannesburg and Pretoria is ever present with these three photos taken from the same spot over 2 years.

This is the bridge that will carry the Gautrain, across the Lyttleton junction.

The Gautrain (derived from Gauteng being the province) is an ambitious rapid rail link that will operate through many suburbs through Pretoria and Johannesburg. It will certainly make a positive contribution in easing the traffic congestion between the two cities. It's main function is to augment the development of the public transport infrastructure that is so badly needed in this region. And, it will provide a safe and rapid transport system to service the commuters traveling between the two cities.

African Art

2010-10-02T07:40:00.004+02:00

African art on display at the entrance to Mac Mac water fall in Mpumalanga (formerly the Eastern Transvaal). This site is located midway between Sabie and Graskop and is part of a picturesque and scenic route in the eastern part of the country. These stalls offer a variety of crafts for tourists and augment eco-tourism for the local inhabitants.

Just outside Sabie is the Long Tom pass where the Boers made there last stand against the British in the Anglo Boer war. It is also the one of the sites where the legendary Kruger Millions (in Gold Bullion) was supposedly buried by the fleeing Boers. Nobody has ever found it, but it stimulates the old folklore and imagination to believe that it does exist.

Fountains Circle

2010-06-04T17:43:00.002+02:00

Fountains circle has been revamped in preparation for the soccer world cup with the kick off next friday on the 11 th June. Flags of the countries participating are proudly fluttering in the winter breeze. The Telkom communications tower in the background is sporting a giant football. This shot is not far from Lotus Versfeld where the USA and Algeria will play their pool match.

48 days to go

2010-04-23T07:20:00.002+02:00

The flags of all the countries competing in the 2010 soccer world cup are suspended from the roof of the Menlyn shopping center. The tournament will kick off at the African Calabash in Soweto just west of Johannesburg.

Menlyn is a large shopping center located in the eastern suburbs of Pretoria. It's worth a visit for a pleasant shopping experience.

Air conditioning in the Kruger Park

2010-03-21T09:33:00.003+02:00

These two shots of the same elephant were taken a few seconds apart. It give one an idea of the size of their ears that serve to help keep the animal cool. They gently flap them in a rhythmic manner as the they move along and graze. On this particular day the temperature was about 32 degrees Celsius.

Colourful Huts

2010-03-20T07:14:00.002+02:00

These colourful Ndebele huts are situated inside the Botanical Gardens east of the city center. These traditional huts with thatch roofs are often painted with an attractive array of creative patterns. I always enjoy looking at them when driving through the country side. The inside of the huts are amazingly cool even on a very hot summers day thanks to the thatch roof.

Thirsty Elephants

2010-03-18T16:29:00.002+02:00

This group of Elephants in the Kruger National park found a water tank and proceeded to drink from it. A large elephant requires 200 liters of water a day and consumes about 250 kilograms of vegetation. That is rather industrious and one observes that constantly grazing.

Moses Mabhida Stadium

2010-03-16T10:18:00.003+02:00

I was in Durban last week and took a shot of the Moses Mabhida stadium where several soccer world cup matches will be played. It is a magnificent marvel in architecture and construction. I had the opportunity to take the Sky Lift to the top of the arch. It offers a splendid view of Durban.

Zakumi

2010-03-15T07:20:00.002+02:00

Meet Zakumi, the official mascot for the Fifa 2010 soccer world cup. The tournament starts in South Africa on the 11 th June. All the stadiums are ready and South Africans are preparing to greet all the visitors to our beautiful country.

2010-03-11T14:38:00.002+02:00

During a recent visit to the Kruger National Park I managed to get a shot of this large lion dozing at the side of the road. He wasn't too perturbed by our presence just a few meters away.

The Kruger park is a large game reserve where many animal species roam in a natural habitat. Just 450 kilometers from Pretoria it is a great place to visit. Here you can see the big 5 - Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhinoceros. I was lucky to see all 5 on this trip. The leopard in particular is elusive and difficult to spot.

Out of Towners

2009-12-22T22:01:00.002+02:00

These fellows a very curious as to who is this creature with the camera. A group of Ostriches just outside Oudtshoorn in the Southern Cape. This area is famed for farming Ostrich feathers which are exported to many parts of the world.

Day of Reconciliation

2009-12-16T09:42:00.003+02:00

Today is a public holiday in South Africa. It is called the 'Day of Reconciliation'. Originally known as the 'Day of the Vow' when the previous government was in power. Now it is used to commemorate our emergence from our painful past and celebrate our democracy.

This picture of the Cenotaph inside of the Voortrekker monument has some special significance. There is a small portal in the roof of the building that permits the sun to shine on the Cenotaph at precisely 12:00 noon on the 16th December every year. Some of the old Boer Republic flags can be seen in the background.

Pretoria Central

2009-12-13T16:27:00.002+02:00

A giant mural of Chief Tshwane, with a soccer ball, adorns the side of a building. This is to promote the FIFA 2010 soccer world cup, that South Africa will be hosting, with kick off in Johannesburg on the 11th June next year.

Loftus Versfeld has been extensively renovated in preparation for the tournament. Several matches will be played at the stadium. All other stadiums are complete with the last one at Green point in Cape Town being finished this month. So, we are ready.

Leap Frog

2009-12-12T11:06:00.002+02:00

These statues were created by a Zimbabwean artist showing four girls playing leap frog. It really stirs the memories to ones childhood days of innocence when we had such fun playing children's games.

Melrose House

2009-10-30T05:14:00.005+02:00

Built in 1886, Melrose house is now a museum. It became a famous landmark as it was requisitioned by Lord Roberts (a British field marshall) when the British invaded Pretoria in 1900 during the Boer war (1899 to 1902). He then used this house as his headquarters and conducted the strategy of the British forces during the remainder of the Anglo Boer war.

The Peace treaty of Vereeniging marking the end of the war was signed at this house on the 31st May 1902.

Welcome

2009-10-24T20:03:00.003+02:00

Burgers park not far from the city center. This park provides a pleasant environment with a splendid array of flowers and large lawns to relax during lunch time.

Soccer Fever

2009-10-22T15:59:00.002+02:00

Once again the city is cloaked in purple. Jakaranda City is one of the nick names given to Pretoria. Many of the streets are lined with Jacaranda trees giving a bright purple and pituresque look as far a the eye can see. In South Africa the name is spelt with a 'K' although I believe the correct spelling uses a 'C'. The reason for using 'K' can probably be attributed to the Afrikaans adaptation.

South Africa will be hosting the FIFA soccer world cup next year and preparations appear to be on track. The Telkom communications tower, which is a prominent land mark in the city, is sporting a large soccer ball. Loftus Versefeld, a stadium nearby, will be hosting a number of the matches.

Soccer fever

Bird's eye view

2009-10-05T09:58:00.003+02:00

A new way of watching a Cricket match. These spectators were able to watch the match between India and Pakistan while being suspended from a crane. At least this way you get a good seat with and uninhibited view of the match.

African wildlife art work

2009-08-27T23:57:00.002+02:00

The detail and work that has gone into this mural is quite fascinating. It was painted on a wall in one of the industrial parks in Silverton which is in the north eastern side Pretoria. There are several murals depicting different scenes of African wildlife like this one.

OR Tambo Airport

2009-08-25T07:05:00.002+02:00

The newly completed inside of the section of the OR Tambo airport near the international arrivals section. The airport has undergone extensive upgrading and renovation in anticipation for the increase in the number of travelers to South Africa. It has also been done in preparation for the 2010 FIFA world cup to be hosted in South Africa next year.

snakes 'n ladders fun

2009-08-23T21:03:00.003+02:00

Fun in the park near Zoo lake in Johannesburg. These children were having great fun on a pleasant and warm August Sunday. Although it is still winter in South Africa the days are getting warmer with the nights still being a bit cold.

This snakes 'n ladders set is right in the middle of a children's playground where the can have fun while their parents look on and enjoy the afternoon in the park.

Gautrain Bridge

2009-08-20T07:34:00.004+02:00

A section of the Gautrain bridge that is presently being constructed. This section crosses the M1 highway in Centurion.

The Gautrain project is a rapid rail transport system that will run between Pretoria and Johannesburg. It also has a link that services the O.R. Tambo airport in Kempton Park. With the influx and expanding business between the two cities this transport system should help to ease the traffic congestion.

A wet Pretoria

2009-08-05T09:06:00.002+02:00

It was a cold and wet Saturday in Pretoria. The rain and wind made the city a little miserable. Rather unusual for this time of year. Our winters are normally dry. With spring approaching the days will gradually get warmer. We are fortunate in South Africa with the winters being relatively short. It really begins in the middle of May and ends mid August.

Corporate Identity

2009-08-02T07:41:00.003+02:00

An interesting statue just outside the headquarters of one of the major cellular phone service providers in South Africa. Situated in Midrand, south of Pretoria the whole area has developed rapidly over the last decade.

Castle Corner

2009-07-30T15:16:00.002+02:00

Springbok supporters like to be entertained. They arrive early for the match and spend some time at places like Castle Corner where they can have a beer with their boerewors roll (type of hot dog with a sausage) and listen to some music performed by a live band. Of course they also wear their Springbok jerseys and many sport fancy headgear. It all add to the spirit of the occasion. And when their team wins the stadium erupts into delirious euphoria.

This shot shows the Bloemfontein Rugby stadium in the background. It has undergone extensive construction and renovation in preparation for the 2010 FIFA world cup tournament. Some of the matches will be hosted at this stadium.

all together now

2009-07-28T16:23:00.003+02:00

The New Zealand All Blacks rugby team performing the Hakka just before their clash with the Springboks on Saturday. The Hakka probably originated from the Maori's as a chant prior to going into battle to give them strength, courage, inspiration and strike fear into the enemy. The Springboks won the match 28 points to 19. The games between these two fine teams is always a competitive and titanic battle.

Sports fan headgear

2009-07-27T08:25:00.003+02:00

Rugby fans are getting quite creative with the head gear being used at sporting events. This hat appeared at the clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Bloemfontein. Apart from the Rugby match it is quite entertaining observing all the various garments, hats and various items used to enhance the sporting experience. One gets a completely different experience between watching the game on television and being at the match.

Blue Bull

2009-07-19T07:38:00.003+02:00

A rugby fan poses with the Blue Bulls team mascot. This shot was taken during the rugby game between the Pretoria based Blue Bulls and Western Province (from Cape Town). There is intense rivalry during the Currie cup tournament and many supporters wear the colours of their favourite team. It works on a round robin basis and the teams with the most points play off in a final held in October for the coveted Currie Cup trophy.

Fort Schanskop

2009-07-17T17:42:00.002+02:00

The Schanskop fort a short distance form the center of Pretoria was built in 1897 to defend the city. There are 3 other similar forts located in different parts of the city. With the deteriorating political situation leading up to the Anglo Boer war in 1899 and built on top of a hill, one can see anything that moves for a considerable distance.

For many years after the war it was badly neglected and vandalised. The site was restored and converted into a museum in 1978 and has many relics giving an illustration of life from that era.

Voortrekker Laarger

2009-07-10T14:57:00.002+02:00

These sculptured ox wagons encircle the Voortrekker monument and gardens to create the effect of a laarger. Essentially the voortrekkers adopted this formation as a form of protection against wild animals and hostile tribes when they camped. This formed a type of mobile fortress that could be protected from all sides.

Voortrekker Oxwagon

2009-07-09T08:59:00.002+02:00

A restored oxwagon on display. These were used by the Voortrekkers in the Great Trek that took place between 1835 and 1852. Drawn by a team of oxen at a rate of 6 miles per day it probably took about 6 months to progress from Port Elizabeth to Pretoria. Today it would require 1 and a half hours to fly the same distance.

These pioneers endured many hard ships and lived off the land as they travelled. All their worldly posessions were under the canvass covering the wagon. Similar vehicles were used in Australia and New Zealand during their voyages of exploration to the interior.

Long Archway

2009-07-07T10:16:00.003+02:00

A series of archways creating an interesting image that appears to go on endlessly. It remind me of the days, as a youngster, when I used to visit the local barber shop that had large mirrors on opposite walls. The reflections seemed to go on forever.

Voortrekker Cenotaph

2009-07-06T08:32:00.005+02:00

Two people read the plague of the cenotaph inside the Voortrekker Monument. This historical building, not far from the city center, was built between 1937 and 1949 to commemorate the Great Trek. On the 16 th December every year the sun shines through a portal, atop the dome of the building, to cast a ray of sunshine at precisely 12:00 noon onto the cenotaph.

The Voortrekker monument was built to celebrate the Great Trek that began in 1835 and continued to 1852. These pioneers left the region around Port Elizabeth to move northward to the interior and later formed the Boer republics known as the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (Transvaal) and Oranje-Vrijstaat. The flags can be seen in the background with the well known vier kleur (four colours) on the left. These colours depict the Dutch flag with the three horizontal colours and the vertical green bar representing freedom.

It was the Great Trek that led to the founding of cities like the modern day Pretoria and Bloemfontein including many other towns in the South African interior. Younger cities like Johannesburg were founded through the discovery of gold which ultimately lead to the Anglo Boer war between 1899 and 1902 and the demise of the Boer Republics.

Unknown Airman

2009-07-05T06:44:00.005+02:00

The grave site of the unknown airman at the Airforce memorial just outside Pretoria. This quiet place of solitude is a fitting place for such a grave.

Delta Shapes

2009-07-01T15:26:00.002+02:00

Another picture of the Airforce memorial at Bays Hill just outside Pretoria. I was quite fascinated by the architecture of the building and the consistent use of triangular shapes to resemble delta wings.

The chappel seen at the end of the building has chairs which are also triangular in shape including the lectern.

SAAF Airforce Memorial

2009-06-30T08:00:00.002+02:00

This memorial situated atop Bays Hill adjcent the Zwartkop airforce base comemorates the airmen who died in various wars in which the country participated. The tiangular shapes resemble delta wings on aircraft. The inner building has various plagues and a small chappel.

Looking South over Pretoria

2009-06-23T22:58:00.003+02:00

This view from Meintjies Kop on which the Union Buildings are situated looks South over Arcadia and Sunnyside. In the distance hill tops one can see the Telkom Communications tower on the left with Unisa in the middle. The Voortrekker monument stands perched on the hill top to the right. Johannesnurg, the largest city in South Africa is about 55 kilometers (35 miles) distant from this spot.

The Union Buildings gardens are in the foreground. The state presidents offices are in these buildings which are behind the position this shot was taken.

Out of Town

2009-06-21T15:13:00.002+02:00

During a recent trip to Paris I visited the Louvre, the largest art museum in the world. I was quite fascinated by these giant paintings. And there were many of them. They were quite awe inspiring. Besides their size it was quite amazing at the amount of detail featured in the paintings.

Soccer Fever

2009-06-19T23:12:00.003+02:00

Soccer enthusiam has hit town. With the conferation cup in progress in some of the new stadiums around the country, the excitement is building for the staging of the FIFA soccer world cup next year. These giant murals depict Chief Tshwane with a football. With less than a year to go before kick off, the finishing to the stadiums is taking place. And the country is preparing to host the event.

African Elephants

2009-06-18T10:41:00.003+02:00

This small group of Afrcian Elephants mind there own business and graze in the African bushveld. In spite of their size, it's quite amazing how camouflaged they can be. Often one comes across a herd quite suddenly amongst the trees. It is only when there is some movement that you suddenly become aware of their presence. The broken tree in the foreground is a result of their action. Their powerfull trunks and tusks can snap branches and trees like match sticks. They do this to get to the fresh wood and bark which they chew.

During the winter months the grass is dry and the trees are devoid of leaves. The Elephants and Giraffe must reach the upper parts of the trees to get fresh green leaves. This shot was taken at a game park north of Pretoria near an area called Warmbaths. A distinctive feature of the African Elephant is their large ears which helps them keep cool.

Egyptian Goose

2009-06-13T19:14:00.003+02:00

This Fellow did'nt mind my presence provided I did not come too close. This shot was taken in the Austen Roberts bird sanctuary. It is a closed park not far from the city center. Provision has been made for the public to view the bird life from a hide that overlooks a small lake. One can enjoy the quiet and solitude away from the city bustle and enjoy the sounds of the birds.

Little Church

2009-06-09T11:10:00.002+02:00

This little church is sandwiched between tall office buildings and the Centurion lake close to the mall. It only seats about 10 people and has been a feature since the mall was built. The area surounding the church has transformed many time but this little building has been left intact with only it's immediate environs being improved.

Churches always seem to hold a fascination particularly with the architecture and the way they are constructed. There are many churches in Pretoria that have survived through the history of the city.

Winter in Pretoria

2009-06-07T08:55:00.003+02:00

Magnolia Dell is a small quaint park in Muckleneuk which is not far from Loftus Versfeld, the rugby stadium. These willows, now devoid of their leaves, line the stream that passes a neat reataurant. This place of solitude enables one to relax. From time to various markets, like Art in the Park, are staged here. In the summer, the flowers bloom to yield a rich variety of magnificent colour.

FIFA Conferation Cup

2009-06-04T16:39:00.002+02:00

Pretoria is ready for the Confederation Cup which starts on the 14th June 2009. Sixteen flags welcome players and spectators en route to Loftus Versveld stadium. Pretoria is one of the host cities for the tournament in which eight countries will participate. The countries are: United States, Iraq, South Africa (hosts), Brazil, Egypt, New Zealand, Italy and Spain. This tournament will be a precursor and show South Africa's readiness to host the FIFA soccer world cup in 2010.

Centurion Lake

2009-06-01T17:28:00.003+02:00

A scene looking across the centurion lake and the amphiteatre. Centurion shopping mall is one of the many complexes that have been constructed in the rapidly growing area.

Onward to Pretoria

2009-05-30T07:18:00.003+02:00

The Gautrain project is advancing by the day. This bridge, looking North, straddles the Olifantsfontain road in Midrand. The Gautrain is a rapid rail link that will service the two major cities:- Pretoria and Johannesburg which are only 50 kilometers apart. The region between the cities has grown rapidly over the past decade and the they have practically joined. Industry has flourished in this region resulting in a substatial increase in traffic volumes. Everyday the roads and highways are clogged.

Many South Africans use mini bus taxi's to commute. The rapid rail network will help alleviate the burden and traffic congestion. The Gautrain project will ultimately expand to service many areas within this busy metropolis that has a growing population.

Rugby Fever

2009-05-25T12:18:00.003+02:00

Loftus Versfeld is a hive of activity after the Blue Bulls won their semi final match on Saturday. The Blue Bulls are the regions' Rugby team and enjoy a passionate and enthusiastic support from their fans. The Super 14 tournament comprises of provincial Rugby teams from Ausralia, New Zealand and South Africa. It takes place between February and May and the teams play a round robin with the top 4 qualifying for the semi final playoffs. This year the Blue Bulls won their semi final and will play the New Zealand team known as the Chiefs on Saturday 30 May. This Saturday afternoon the stadium will be packed to capacity during the final.

This scene from Loftus will be the venue for the Final. The stadium will also be utilised during the FIFA soccer world cup, to be hosted by South Africa in 2010. The stadium, has gone through extensive upgrades in preparation for the games next year. Many stadiums in major centers such as Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and a number of others have undergone extensive construction and upgrades to be ready for this major sporting event.

Market Day

2009-05-16T20:07:00.002+02:00

The Irene Flea Market is a big attraction that draws many visitors on a Saturday morning. Stall participants sell anything from flowers to furniture. The busy market takes place in the Smut's museum grounds.

Mosaic Intrigue

2009-05-09T12:50:00.002+02:00

This interesting and colourful mosaic form graces the Irene village mall. There are many restaurants where one can relax and enjoy the pleasant surroundings. This shopping mall is one of many that have been built with the phenomenal growth in the Centurion area (just South of Pretoria) over the past few years.

In the shadow of the storm

2009-05-07T18:27:00.002+02:00

Late afternoon sunset and in the shadow of the storm passing over. There has just been a strong down pour. Storms in Pretoria are rare during Autumn as we enter the dry season. Winters a short here, generally lasting about 3 months.

Russian Orthodox Church

2009-05-05T10:27:00.001+02:00

This Russian orthodox church is located in Midrand just south of Pretoria. The architecture is interesting and refreshing to see the different cultures and religions that make their home here. The late afternoon autumn sunlight glints against the gold domes.

Inquisitive Rhino's

2009-05-03T16:04:00.005+02:00

These inquisitive Rhinoceroses were amazed at our sudden appearance in their world. This shot was taken in a game reserve north of Pretoria. There are many fine game parks in South Africa with the Kruger National park being the most famous.

This group appeared to be calm and did not mind our presence. One has to be cautious as these animals can be dangerous, particularly if they feel threatened or one approaches too closely in they have calves. It's really a case of respecting their territory.

The Union Buildings

2009-05-01T09:23:00.002+02:00

The seat of the South African government. Designed by the famous architect, Sir Herbert Baker, it was completed in 1910 for the then Union of South Africa. This magnificent building comprises of two symetrical wings. This will be the setting for the inauguration of the next president of the country in a few days time. These emtpty lawns will be filled with thousands of people during the inauguration celebrations.

City View

2009-04-29T15:15:00.002+02:00

A view of the city looking north from a vantage point on Klapperkop hill. The buildings in the foreground is Unisa (University of South Africa). It is primarily a correspondence institution (alternatively referred to as ‘distance learning’).

The tall buildings further on are at the city center with the Magaliesburg range in the distance.

Gautrain

2009-04-27T19:55:00.001+02:00

The Gautain bridges make progress across a busy highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg. This bridge is part of the new rapid rail link between the two cities that is under construction. With the steady population growth and the proliferation of businesses and industry between the cities, the traffic volumes have increased substantially over the past few years.

These bridge piers are quite fascinating in that the construction progresses without disrupting the traffic flow below. The green catch nets at the ends of the sections under construction prevent debris from falling. There are numerous similar bridges along the route.

The Game

2009-04-25T20:19:00.003+02:00

This keenly contested Super 14 rugby game is between the Blue Bulls (Pretoria) and the Stormers (Cape Town). The Bulls (dark blue jerseys) eventually won the match. The Super 14 tournament which is contested annually between 14 teams originating from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa is played annually between February and May. South Africans are passionate about their Rugby and are the current world champions.

The Challenge

2009-04-24T16:51:00.003+02:00

A fascinating set of statues at the Irene Village Mall. This pair of statues as well balanced and poised in perpetual challenge. It certainly captures ones attention and inspires the imagination as you pass them whilst doing your shopping. The whole shopping mall is well designed with a captivating layout and certainly adds to a pleasant shopping experience.

Peeping in from another world

2009-04-21T19:17:00.003+02:00

An interesting view of the world as this cow pays us a visit at the new Irene Village Mall shopping center.

There has been a proliferation of new shopping malls that have mushroomed around the outer ring of Pretoria. Some have come up with some interesting scupltures like this one.

Irene Kampkerkhof

2008-12-18T09:36:00.003+02:00

Kampkerkhof is a cemetry in the village of Irene. A memorial to a sad chapter in our history where over over two thousand Boer men, women and children are buried. They were victims of the concentration camp during the Anglo Boer war between 1899 and 1902. These plagues depict some of the hardships they endured during their incarceration.

Farm in the City

2008-10-17T15:59:00.004+02:00

Irene farm situated about 15 kilometers from the city center, in the Centurion area, is an example how agricultural land has been consumed with the march of progress. Irene is a village that was established many decades ago. It was an isolated, detached village with loads of character. The nearby Irene farm, well known for it's dairy herd, was really in the countryside.

Much development has taken place and the whole area has now become urbanized with housing complexes surrounding the original farm. However, the farm seems to have embraced modern development remarkably well by establishing an attractive restaurant and outlet for it's farm products. It is always a treat to have sunday morning breakfast here. It is like stepping out of the city and into the country side with it's tranquail surroundings.

Jakaranda City

2008-10-16T20:23:00.004+02:00

The Jacarands are now in full bloom and many parts of the city are cloaked in purple. The Jacarandas are very prominent with many streets lined with a double row of the trees forming a colourful canopy as you drive through. I posted a similar scene in June when the trees were green. This scene shows the Telkom communcations tower in the background. It is visible from many parts of the city. At present we are experiencing hot sunny days. Yet there has still been no rain.

Stairway to the sky

2008-10-14T06:08:00.003+02:00

Sunnypark shopping centre in Sunnyside Pretoria has been undergoing a major renovation. This staircase with it's bulkheads leads to the top floor with a large sky light which floods the entire complex with natural light. In the post 1994 period after the first democratic elections much of the inner city decayed remarkably. Presently there has been a huge injection of capital to rejuvinate the city. Sunyside in particular has been a hive of activity with many new buildings being constructed.

City Park

2008-10-09T06:10:00.000+02:00

This tranquil park, called the Trim Park, is situated about 7 kilometers from the city centre in Muckleneuk. We had a family breakfast at the Blue Crane reataurant adjacent this spot. The stream leads down from the dam in the Austen Roberts bird sanctuary. It was established in 1958 and about 170 species have been recorded by birders. A hide which penetrates into the santuary permits visitors to view many species close up.

Jacaranda Spring

2008-10-05T07:19:00.002+02:00

It is now late spring in Pretoria and the jacaranda's are starting to bloom. During October and November the city will be bathed in a blanket of purple. Many of the inner city streets and surrounding suburbs are lined and saturated with Jacaranda trees and form a boulevard with a purple canopy. Any sale or planting of these trees is now prohibited in South Africa as they have been classified as an invasive flora.

City Founders

2008-10-04T06:07:00.003+02:00

Three statues of the city's founders line up in front of the Pretoria city hall facing eastward. In the background is Chief Tshwane after whom the greater metropilitan area is named (see Sept 26 for a larger photo). The founder of the modern day city in 1855 was Marthinus Pretorius who is standing in the foreground. It was named after his father, Andries Pretorius who is riding his horse in the middle ground.

According to cultural history it is claimed that local tribal inhabitants, led by Chief Tshwane, lived in the region before the voortrekkers arrived to establish the modern day city. Questions have been raised whether Chief Tshwane ever existed. At present the controvery is still raging regarding the city's renaming. It has been proposed that Pretoia should be renamed to Tshwane. The name Pretoria would then be retained as the inner city centre suburb.

Spring

2008-10-03T06:04:00.003+02:00

The city is a blaze of colours during spring. With the initial blossoms now begining to wilt and fall from the plants and trees, the Jacarandas are beginning to emerge. During the later part of October and into November the Jacarandas will form a blanket of purple over much of the city. This has earned the city the nickname of the 'Jakaranda city'. In this instance it is spelt with a 'K' which is the Afrikaans (South African language) version. This shot is looking down Leyds street in Muckleneuk with the Union buildings in the background.

Strelitzia

2008-10-02T06:01:00.004+02:00

Three Strelizia's in the gardens of the Transvaal museum. The more common name is bird of paradise flower or altenatively the crane flower. It appears as if these flowers are frolicking like a group of birds. The Strelitzia is a genus of 5 species of perennial plants and is native to South Africa. They are always an attractive feature in any garden and rather intriguing with their unique shape. This particular species normally reaches a height of about 1.2 meters. There are other larger species that can reach a height of 10 meters.

Interesting Shapes

2008-10-01T06:29:00.002+02:00

This interesting shot was taken of the front gardens of the Transvaal museum in Pretoria. The circular lawn terraces contrast sharply with the regimental columns of the building. I have not visited the museum in many years so it is time for a visit once again.

More Office Park Art

2008-09-30T07:20:00.003+02:00

Another one of Fourie's murals at the office park.

Office Park Art

2008-09-29T15:48:00.004+02:00

This artists name is Fourie and he has painted many magnificent murals depicting South African wild life scenes in this industrial office park. I am always fascinated by the details and true to life art work. He has certainly done a sterling job. There are many other magnificent scenes which I will post in the days to come.

Sixteen Flags

2008-09-28T15:01:00.005+02:00

These 16 flags form a semi circle between the fountain and UNISA. This shot was taken at .... Yes, you guesed it fountains circle. These flag masts were erected in 1995 just before the Rugby world cup, that South Africa hosted. Each bore the flag of one of the 16 nations that participated in the tournament. South Africans, who are passoinate about their rugby, were of course ecstatic when we won the coveted William Webb Ellis rugby world cup that year. A feat which we repeated in the 2007 competition in France. Presently these masts proudly display 16 South African flags that flutter in the wind.

UNISA stands for the University of South Africa. It is Africa's leading distance learning institution. It primarily services it's students through correspondence courses throughout the world.

Fountains circle if a prominent landmark in Pretoria and an important traffic junction that services the commuters and motor vehciles to the south of the city.

Chief Tshwane

2008-09-26T05:52:00.003+02:00

Chief Tshwane stands in front of the Pretoria city hall as the controversy of the city's name rages on. "Pretoria" is still the official name of the city according to the South African geograhical names committee. The city council prefers the name Tshwane.

According to history it is claimed that the african people, led by Chief Tshwane, were the first inhabitants where the modern day city now stands. This means that they were here before the great trek which commenced in 1838 leading to the the first european settlers arriving at the area of Pretoria. I have not come across any historical encounters that the Europeans had with the local indeginous inhabitants, but it should make some interesting reading.

Cycad

2008-09-23T18:35:00.004+02:00

This large potted cycad graces the foreground in front of the Pretoria natural museum. A skeleton of a whale is suspended in front of the museum as the late afternoon sun bathes the sandstone walls. Cycads are found all over South Africa. The sub tropcial plant takes many years to grow and is a protected species.

African Innovation

2008-09-22T18:53:00.003+02:00

The conversion and modification of a cargo container can serve a very useful and enterprising purpose. Someone has been very innovative to come up with the idea of establishing a restaurant adjacent a flea market in down town Sunnyside using this container. And they have customers for good measure. There are certainly many creative ways to establish a small business to earn a living.

Caught in the act

2008-09-21T10:56:00.006+02:00

This artist is painting a wildlife mural at a busy street intersection. There a many other murals inside the business complex called Tannery Park nearby. The artwork is extremely well done and depicts life sized scenes of African wild life. It certainly adds a lot of life and colour to an otherwise dull concrete railway bridge. Hopefully the irresponsible grafitti artists will refrain from making their contribution as well.

End of Winter

2008-09-17T18:48:00.002+02:00

With winter at an end and spring in the air we can look forward to a long summer. We are fortunate to have short winters in South Africa. Generally it spans from mid May to mid August - which is only 3 months of generally cold winter weather. In Gauteng the winters are usually dry and cold and we expect our first rains in early September. Strangely, it has not rained yet so we can expect thunder storms to appear any day now.

Gaurding the city

2008-07-22T07:33:00.002+02:00

This gun looms over the gardens of the union buildings. It probably originates from the 1 st world war. It is similar in appearance to the Long Tom guns used by the Boers in defending their positions against the advancing British during the Anglo Boer war. The tall building, dominating the city skyline, just beneath the barrel is the Reserve (Central) bank.

Pretoria was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius, who named it after his father Andries Pretorius. The founding of the city marked the end of the boer settlement movements known as the 'Great Trek' which began in 1838. It was an initiative to escape from British influence in the Cape and gain independance. This in turn lead to the formation of the Zuid Afrikaansche Reupubliek or ZAR and informally known as the Transvaal Republic. Marthinus Pretorius was the first president of this new republic.

Gautrain progress

2008-07-20T23:56:00.002+02:00

The construction site for the Gautrain flyover located at the Lyttleton offramp on the M1 highway between Johanneburg and Pretoria. The Gautrain is the rapid rail link currently under construction, an innovative and necessary development in our transport infrastructure. Prior to the start of the project much unfounded controversy raged as many parties objected to the concept. The trade unions argued that it will not benefit the poor. Opposition parties and other organisations argued that the cost was exhorbitant. Nevetheless the government went ahead and launched the project.

In my opinion it is a positive development with some vision and insight into the future. Public transport needs to be progessive and is urgently needed in this region. This is the intention of the rapid rail network that is being developed around the Tshwane and Johannesburg metropolitan centers.

This section of the rail network will be part of the link that will run South from Pretoria, through Centurion, Midrand, Sandton and on to the centre of Johannesburg. The line will service the commuter traffic to the rapidly developing industries that straddle the M1 highway between the two cities. The project may just be completed before the start of the Soccer world cup in 2010.

Embracing the past

2008-07-20T09:03:00.005+02:00

Oom Paul's house. Situated in Church street about 1 kilometer from the Church square. This is the original house where Paul Kruger lived as the president of the Transvaal Republic. He enjoyed spending his spare time on his 'stoep' and greeting the passers by. Of course security was not an issue in the 1890's. The house is now a museum that covers the life and times of the charismatic leader.

Tall buildings dominate the skyline and loom over the little house. A vastly different world from the days of ox wagons and gravel roads when Kruger governed the fiercely independant republic. All that changed with the march of progress and the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand just 50 kilometers to the south. This brought a flood of prospectors and the development of new industries to the new city of Johannesburg after 1886.

The growth of the gold mining industry brought on the demise and eventual colapse of the boer republics with the outbreak of the anglo boer war as the British empire spread their imperial tentacles to take the spoils of the richest gold fields in the world. Paul Kruger went into exile as the advancing British armies overran the peaceful city of Pretoria. Thereafter the Union of South Africa was established with the incorporation of the Boer republics into the geographical region of South Africa today.

Servamus et Servimus

2008-07-07T06:22:00.003+02:00

A monument dedicated to the South African police officers who have died in the line of duty. The names appear on the tablets on the inner semi circular panels. I was shocked to see the number of names appearing on these panels.

The monument was unveiled by the late PW Botha in 1987 and is situated in the gardens of the union buildings. A sombre relic to the complex problems and challenges facing our society in combating crime in the country. The newspaper headline on Sam's site, pretoriadailyphoto, sums up the magnitude of the problems confronting us. Nevertheless, we have a great country, a developing nation and a growing economy that will improve the lives of all our citizens.

Smuts House

2008-07-06T07:07:00.006+02:00

Jan Smuts relaxes in his garden in Irene during the late afternoon winter sun. This house is the Smuts museum where he lived whilst being the Prime minister of the Union of South Africa and into retirement. There are interesting artifacts relating to his life and times. Smuts was mainly responsible for drafting the 'Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations'. He was born in 1870 and died in 1960. When war broke out with Great Britain in 1899, Smuts received a command in the Boer army. As a skilful military leader he rose to the rank of General.

Today the grounds serve as a recreation center. One can enjoy a picnic, tea and scones in the well known tea garden or enjoy a leisurely walk in the grounds and onto the top of the Koppie (hill) to view the surrounding country side. On the first and last Saturday of the month the popular Irene Village market is held in the grounds and many visitors flock to the stalls. It makes an interesting outing to visit the flea market where the merchants sell anything from beads to furniture.

The town of Irene has transformed from a quiet tranquil village to a busy residential suburb with many shopping malls and business complexes emerging. Traffic jams are now becoming the norm as construction expands in the City of Tshwane.

Eureka

2008-07-02T19:07:00.008+02:00

Obviously this fellow has decided to resist change. It is usually quite amazing to see an original, old building sandwiched amongst the new modern and tall buildings. Personally I find old buildings fascinating Particularly when an owner has said "I do not want to sell" and sustained their trade. I am not sure what trade the owners of this building are indulging in. But the wording on the right side of the building suggests that the are manufacturing cigarettes. How big is their market? Well that can be anybody's guess. I don't think they can compete against Phillip Morris by being this small.

And.. with the South African government prohibiting any form of advertising of tobacco products, their market influence must be extremely limited. So, I can only surmise that they must be merchandising something else. unfortunately they were closed when this shot was taken. Next time I am in town, I will pay them a visit and investigate.

On the subject of old buildings. I visited Europe recently and one of the highlights was seeing all the old buildings in Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and many other cities dating back to the 1600's and older. Modern cities tend to tear down old building to make way for big concrete structures. Well.. I suppose there is a price to pay for progress.

The Union Buildings

2008-07-01T15:59:00.004+02:00

The Union buildings, one of the famous buildings in South Africa and a landmark in Pretoria. Designed by the famous architect, Sir Herbert Baker, it was completed in 1913. It houses the offices of the State President, currently Thabo Mbeki. This view shows the large lawns that lead up to terraced gardens and onto the buildings. A statue of General Louis Botha, the first prime minister of the Union of South Africa graces the foreground. South Africa became a republic in 1961.

The buildings are about 275 meters long, are made of sandstone and comprise of two symetrical wings that were intended to represent the bilingualism and unity of the two cultures after the Anglo Boer war.

Unfortunately the buildings are not open to the public. I have been fortunate to roam around the outer buildings when they were open to the general public in the 1980's. The lawns are often used for functions ranging from presidential inaugurations to concerts and even protests.

Jakaranda City

2008-06-30T01:33:00.003+02:00

Pretoria is often called the 'Jakaranda' city by virtue of the thousands of Jakaranda trees that grace it's streets. The tree's flowers blossom in October and bathe the city in a cloak of purple. The city looks absolutely beautiful during early summer, especially when viewed from the hill tops, under the blanket of purple Jakarandas.

The Jakaranda is not indigenous to South Africa. It originates from Brazil and was brought to Pretoria in the early 20 th century and planted along the streets of the inner city. It does appear in many parts of the surrounding areas of Tshwane (the greater metropolitan area) including Johannesburg. It is now considered an invader (non indigenous) plant and legislation prohibits the distribution and planting of the trees in South Africa. Trees that are removed are not replaced.

This photo was taken looking up Bourke street in Mukkleneuk with the Telkom communications tower rising above the trees. I often used to run up this street which rises steeply near the top and passes over into Groenkloof.

Oom Paul

2008-06-28T20:16:00.006+02:00

Paul Kruger majestically graces Church square in the centre of Pretoria. One of the few statues in Pretoria. Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger was born in 1825 and served as president of the Transvaal Republic from 1883 to 1900. With the discovery of gold in Johannesburg in 1886, which subsequently brought thousands of Uitlanders (foreigners), mostly British, to the Republic. This led to serious conflicts of interest between Britain and the Boers leading to the Anglo Boer war which broke out in 1899. This ultimately lead to "Oom (uncle) Paul" fleeing the country and into exile in Europe.