A PERFECT DAY IN PRETORIA.

Are you planning a vacation with your family and friends or want to know more about the history of South Africa? Do not look far, Pretoria is the best place to be, given its beautiful and historical places to visit. Pretoria, also known as Tshwane has the Union Buildings, Freedom Park, Pretoria National Botanical Gardens, Voortrekker Monument, Fountain Valley and the Zoological Gardens.

The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African government and houses the offices of the president of South Africa. Somebody who is keen to know about the politics of the country must visit the Union Buildings. The 9 metres high statue of the first black anti-apartheid president, Nelson Mandela is also situated at the Union Buildings. The statue shows Nelson Mandela lifting his arms high and welcoming everybody to the union buildings.

Freedom Park is situated in Salvokop in Tshwane. Freedom park stands as a place of remembrance for all the people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of South Africa. It has a wall that consists of a list of all the people that were killed in the South African wars as well as people who were killed during the apartheid era. It has a museum that shows the history of the South African struggle icons. If one is keen to know about our struggle icons, Freedom Park is a place that can educate you.

Pretoria Botanical Garden is one of the 9 National Botanical gardens. It is a beautiful garden with different types of trees, flowers and grass. Tourist who like nature can enjoy being at the Pretoria Botanical Garden. It is a nice place to host birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and work functions.

The Voortrekker Monument is located on the south of Pretoria. It is a huge granite structure that is built on a hilltop. It is also a nice place to host graduation ceremonies and work functions. Voortrekker monument holds the history of the Voortrekkers who left the Cape colony between 1835 and 1854. It also has nice eateries inside, just in case one gets hungry while viewing the place.

Pretoria Zoo is one of the 8 largest zoos in the world, and one of the most highly rated. It is a center of attraction as well in Tshwane. The zoo consists of all types of animals from South Africa and other parts of the world.  The zoo aims at keeping animals safe, especially the ones that are at a risk of being poached. It keeps them safe from the poachers for the next generation to see them, it also keeps animals safe to avoid extinction.

Fountain Valley is a recreational resort at the southern entrance of Pretoria, it is located within the Groenkloof Reserve. Fountain Valley has Swimming pools, an art museum, braai facilities when you plan to have a feast and other fun activities. It is children friendly, it has play areas for children.

With the festive season just around that corner you should give one of two of these places a shot, and spice things up. Pretoria is filled with outdoor places you can enjoy with your loved ones, so you have no excuse for not being adventurous.

(Images courtesy of Google)

By: ZANELE MAGAGULA