Pretoria

Pretoria is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the administrative capital and seat of the executive branch of government. Located in Gauteng province, it forms part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and sits approximately 55 km north of Johannesburg. The city has a population of more than two-million people within the greater metropolitan area. Pretoria is a major economic hub, with a diverse economy anchored by government administration, manufacturing, financial services, education and research institutions. The city hosts numerous corporate headquarters, commercial office parks and retail developments, including prominent business nodes such as Menlyn and Wonderpark. It is home to the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government, as well as foreign embassies and diplomatic missions. Pretoria's economy benefits from its concentration of public-sector employment, tertiary institutions including the University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa, and a growing services sector. The city was founded in 1855 by Marthinus Pretorius and served as the capital of the South African Republic (Transvaal) before becoming one of the capitals of the Union of South Africa in 1910. Today it remains a key centre for real estate investment, particularly in the commercial and office property sectors.