Most countries have one capital city that serves as the centre of government. For instance, New Delhi is the capital of India, while London is the capital of the United Kingdom. However, South Africa follows a different system, with three capital cities, each performing a separate function.
This arrangement distributes important government functions across three cities. The city is home to the Union Buildings, which house the Presidency and serve as the official seat of the national government. Pretoria also accommodates numerous government departments and plays a central role in the country’s executive administration. The city houses the country’s Parliament, where national legislation is debated and passed.
The buildings were designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1908, with construction beginning in 1909 and finishing in 1913, according to the official website of the South African Presidency.
Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein serve as the country’s administrative, legislative and judicial capitals, respectively, according to the official South African government website . Parliament consists of two houses: the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, according to the official Parliament of South Africa website . Distributing government functions among three cities was part of a compromise reached during the formation of the Union, according to South African History Online .
