The Union Buildings form the official seat of the South African government and also house the offices of the President of South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. The President of South Africa, in full the President of the Republic of South Africa is the Head of state and Head of government under South The imposing buildings sit on Meintjies Kop and overlook Pretoria. Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa.
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Architecture
These buildings, built from light sandstone, were designed by the architect Sir Herbert Baker in the English monumental style and are 285 m long. Sandstone is a Sedimentary rock composed mainly of Sand -size Mineral or rock grains. Sir Herbert Baker ( 9 June 1862 in Cobham Kent - 4 February 1946 in Cobham Kent was a British architect They have a semi-circular shape, with the two wings at the sides, this serve to represent the union of a formerly divided people (see the talk page). The east and west wings represent two languages, English and Afrikaans. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Afrikaans is an Indo-European language, derived from 17th century Dutch and classified as Low Franconian Germanic, mainly spoken in These buildings are considered by many to be the architect's greatest achievement and a South African architectural masterpiece. An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation Masterpiece (or chef d'œuvre) refers to any Work of art that is considered extraordinary The Nelson Mandela statue in Sandton City's Nelson Mandela Square was commissioned originally to stand on the spot where Nelson Mandela gave his inaugural address. Nelson Mandela Square is a Shopping centre in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
History
Andries Francois du Toit (1813-1883) was the original owner of the land on which the Union Buildings were built. He was also Pretoria’s first magistrate and was responsible for the layout of the city. Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. A magistrate is a judicial officer In Common law systems a magistrate usually has limited authority to administer and enforce the Law. During this period he sold his land, called Arcadia, to Stephanus Jacobus Meintjies (1819-1887), after whom the hill is named. Arcadia is a suburb in Pretoria, South Africa that is known for its historical buildings embassies and hotels
The cornerstone was laid in November 1910, shortly after the Union of South Africa — for which the buildings are named — was formed. The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting } The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day state of the Republic of South Africa. Taking 1,265 workers over three years to build, the structure was completed in 1913 at a total cost of £1,310,640 for the building and £350,000 for the site. Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common . ?k
Gardens and Grounds
Notable are the terraced gardens, planted exclusively with indigenous plants, surrounding the buildings as well as the 9,000 seat amphitheatre. In Gardening, a terrace is an element where a raised flat paved or gravelled section overlooks a Prospect. An amphitheatre (alternatively amphitheater) is an open-air venue for spectator sports concerts rallies or theatrical performances
Within the grounds are various monuments, statues and memorials. A monument is a structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of past A statue is a Sculpture in the round representing a person or persons an animal or an event normally full-length as opposed to a bust, and at least close to life-size A memorial is an object which serves as a memory of something usually a person (who has died or an event Starting at the bottom of the gardens, a large statue of General Louis Botha (First prime minister of the Union of South Africa) on horseback dominates the lawn. Louis Botha (27 September 1862 &ndash 27 August 1919 was an Afrikaner and first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa —the forerunner of the modern This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. } The Union of South Africa is the historic predecessor to the present-day state of the Republic of South Africa. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description
About half way up the terraces, the Delville Wood War Memorial is a tribute to South African troops who died during the First World War as well as a plaque in memory of those that died during the Korean War. 049 South Afican Memorial Delville Wood Francejpg|thumb|right|300px|The South African Memorial in Delville Wood December 2005]] Delville Wood (in French, Bois Delville A war memorial is a building monument statue or other edifice to celebrate a War or victory or (predominating in modern times to commemorate those who died or were injured The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The Korean War refers to a period of military conflict between North Korean and South Korean regimes with major hostilities lasting from June 25 1950 until the
Two levels above that is a statue of prime minister J.B.M. Hertzog. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. James Barry Munnik Hertzog better known as JBM Hertzog (born 3 April 1866 near Wellington Cape Colony - died 21 November 1942 in Pretoria,
The South African Police Memorial is located at the top right of the gardens.
Historical Events
On August 9, 1956, 20 000 women staged a march on the Union Buildings to protest against the pass laws of 1950. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Pass laws in South Africa were designed to segregate the population and limit severely the movements of the non-white populace Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This historical event is commemorated by the public holiday National Women's Day. National Women's Day is an annual public holiday in South Africa on August 9.
On May 10, 1994 the Inauguration of Nelson Mandela and his Vice-Presidents after the country's first free elections took place at the Union Buildings. Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (xolíɬaɬa mandéːla born 18 July 1918 is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative The South African general election of 1994 was the first free election held in South Africa after the end of Apartheid, therefore also the first held on This date is considered as the "birth" of the new South Africa.
On December 31, 1999 the South African flagship Millennium Celebration was held here. Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The Millennium Celebration was a celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort of the changing of the Millennium. In attendance was the Deputy President Jacob Zuma, and other ministers. Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (born 12 April 1942 is a South African politician
External links
- Office of the President of South Africa
- 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Women's March - with pics of the original event
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