Things you didn't know: Pretoria

typical Afrikaners get a life stop griping and take a chill pill

Your ten things about

Your ten things about beautiful Pretoria is well timed as it is the home of the world's biggest soccer ball and the world cup is in full swing in South Africa the centre of attraction in the world of soccer. Now All the roads of the world lead to South Africa. Thanks for the post.cheap rain boots

Yes, I don't know it. Thank

Yes, I don't know it. Thank you for your post! They are very nice and adventurous. latext mattress

How about?

The tertiary institutions: Biggest university, Biggest correspondence university, biggest university of technology in South Africa.

The Embassies: Pretoria has most embassies in the world after Washington DC and this contribute to a wide diversity.

Poverty: Pretoria has a smaller persentage of people living in poverty than Jo'burg. Only Cape Town metro has a lower poverty rate of the metros.

Marabastad: One of the only previously black areas which have not been destroyed.

Shame ...

Someone's got it in for you.. I think anonymous is 1 person using a multitude of IP addresses.. with lots of 'followers'. Very rude and uncalled for.

But why was my comment (one of the first) deleted? Or am I just missing a whole hellava lot right now (I have aged since last month) :)
Di

They've reworked this article

to all the people only reading this article now and saying it's fine, it has been reworked substantially since it was first posted. so all the problems it had initially are no longer visible.

point of the article

Guys I think you're all missing the point of this article. It's meant to be short, sweet, and with a pinch of humour. It's meant to make you look at it with a pinch of salt, and ponder similar humour about your own place of residence. For example things you didn't know about Johannesburg:

You're genuinely surprised when you return to find your car is still where you parked it.

That was one I heard on the radio, and was not based on something about joburg itself, but you (hopefully) get the idea. I think this is meant to be fun and light-hearted, and if that doesn't appeal to you, close the window and avoid it in future - there are plenty of other resources on the internet if you are interested in long boring facts.

Pretoria

Pretoria Boys High School is the only school you mention what about the others.You are very selective[ wonder why]

The Afrikaans High School is an Afrikaans Christian School, which strives for its unique tradition of excellence, educational education to maintain and expand the benefit of our country and its inhabitants.

Reeds sedert 1920 is die geskiedenis van die skool nou verweef met 'n belangrike groeitydperk van die Afrikaner en sy taal. Since 1920, the history of the school closely interwoven with a significant and growth of the Afrikaner and his language. Besiel met dieselfde pioniersgees as hul voorgangers, het 'n stroom jong Afrikaners uit hierdie skool gevloei om leiersposisies in alle vlakke van die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap en die Afrikaner volkslewe vol te staan. Inspired by the same pioniersgees than their predecessors, had a stream of young Africans from this school flowed to leadership in all levels of the South Afrikaans and the Afrikaner community volkslewe vol te staan.

Vandag word daar met trots teruggekyk op 'n roemryke verlede wat elke dag as fondament vir die bouwerk van môre dien. Today is proudly teruggekyk a glorious past that every day as a foundation for building tomorrow's serve.

"LAAT DAAR LIG WEES" "LET THERE BE LIGHT"

Pretoria Boys High School was established on its present premises in 1910. PBHS is an academic school with the majority of the pupils following a University Entrance course. We believe in striving for excellence in whatever endeavour we attempt. We insist on the highest standards of behaviour and appearance from all our pupils.

GREAT HAHA

I certainly hope that the people who took the time to write most of these comments are not representative of the readers, and that like myself, MANY others enjoyed this!

I thought it was brilliant, a good chuckle at something with a pinch of salt, can't wait to see what I don't know about Capey Town or Debben!

Quality of article

What an appallingly written articel.

One can only hope that the author isn't a full-time journalist.

Reply to JULLE IS ALMAL F*KK*N DOM!!

To this dweeb....you should maybe read the article. The person clearly state, and I quote "And we lend them our airport too". That means to me, the poor bastard who wrote this...was infact from that pit of human misery...Johannesburg.

Pretoria is a proud City, with a wonderfull history. Just go and visit Kruger House, Melrose House or Smuts House. Realise how a very important part Pretoria has played in world history, not just African or South African history.

I am very proud to call myself a "Pretorianer".

Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill did not escape he was let go because he was eating all the BOER's food.

Pta

Well, thanks for the 10 facts. But in the future please do so real research on a town or city before you write about it.
This was boring to read...! There is so much more important history to Pta than what was mentioned. Next time please use the internet to do research, it is very easy. Good luck on your next peace Simon, you will need it!

And...

The Afrikaners had 4 forts built (by their French and German friends) to defend their capital city (Pretoria) against British invasion. Sadly Pretoria was attacked at the end of the war with almost no resistance.

Pretoria

I was born and bred in Pta, there IS no place like it. I love it and will go back if I can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wonder if Simon can spell idiot??

I think the most shocking thing to find was that this is brought to us from News24... Can you say loss of respect and immediate second thoughts to the credibility of it and its affiliates? If only we could all call homophobic, intolerant rantings "tongue and cheek"... How PC! I must say though if this is the type of work brought to us from Simon Williamson, then he should enjoy every minute of this because this thread will probably be the most exposure he gets. I suppose the only thing he does worse that write is research... This isnt the only large soccer ball... News24 - Proudly reminding us that even jacka$$es can find work!

Simon Williamson: please try harder

This is awful. A truly shocking piece of writing. I would expect better from a rural 8-tr old. 1-this is so idiotic it defies belief, esp as there is another designated city between them (Midrand)? 3-you confuse Pta with Tshwane, 4,5&7 - these are so inane, 6-misleading, as such names were merely considered during the determination of place-name status and warrant less mention than Pretoria-Philadelphia (another alternative). Otherwise Pta's name has been uncontested.
9-PBHS is known for its lack of alumni relative to other schools (a measly 3 rugby springboks in all!) 10- what does Mrs Ples really have to do with PTA?

I liked it

Anyone coming here in say, June/July of this year will find these facts interesting. Pretoria truly is a wonderful town. The best place to live in SA!

Simon Williamson - Absolute fail

This is without a doubt the worst article I've ever wasted my time on reading. Bad journalism, bad research. And your "tongue in cheek" sense of humour excuse doesn't change the fact that Simon obviously doesn't know his face from his arse. I will make sure never to read one of his articles again... in fact I will make sure to avoid this section of News24. Maybe you should consider a career change Simon... cause I can assure you there is no Pulitzer coming your way soon.

BLue Train and Rovos

If you think the Blue Train is painfully slow, you should rather ask the passengers if they would like it to be faster. To be in all that luxury, for so many hours, is a pleasure indeed. It all comes to an end far too soon. That is what it is all about. Rovos in fact is slower, and competes with the Blue at a far different level, wonderful old time ambience in utter luxury, albeit with a few modern touches.

Something else

Pretoria is also the home of Loftus Versfeld, where on any given Saturday during the rugby season, thousands of men admire each others "horings" while singing "Liefling". It's a good thing there's at least a straight street in town.

Another fact

LOL, it is clear from this article that Pretoria also got the lowest IQ points per capita in the SA. Translation to Pretoriaans: JULLE IS ALMAL F*KK*N DOM!!

Pretoria- things you don't know

Thanks for sharing all the common knowledge facts with us. This way you saved a lot of time doing research. Next time do some home work and give us real new info.

Boring!

Mrs.Ples

The skull of Mrs. Ples is more than 2 million years old, not older than 20 million.

20 million years ago there were no creatures on earth that resembled anything human.

Pretoria Boys High School - What about Affies

If PBH boasts some incredible alumni what about Affies?
Fourie du Preez,Wynand Olivier,Pierre Spies,Derick Kunn and AB de Villiers are just a few, even the headmaster used to be a springbok.

Hi everybody... Simon's

Hi everybody...

Simon's obvious tongue-in-cheek tone used in this article has ruffled quite a few feathers - please note this was not the intention of the piece. With an influx of WC 2010 content focused on the various host cities it is the aim of GoTravel24 to bring you an alternative, fun read. Keep an eye out on the site for other Things you didn’t know installments.

Feel free to add to our wiki travel guides once you've posted a comment below. http://www.gotravel24.com/travelguides/pretoria - all your local knowledge shouldn’t go to waste.

Thanks for reading and contributing to the site.

Selene

GET OVER YOURSELVES PEOPLE

How can so few readers of this article have a sense of humour? Surely (please let this be true) this cannot be a sample of the general population of this country. It's an article - not a news report on the pros and cons of Pretoria.

How can the very obvious, often tongue in cheek humour not be even realised!

Goodness me - these kinds of reactions to articles like this make me think we have less hope as a country than I might have hoped. And all of you smart enough to use a computer.

scary!

CT and straight streets

You say CT doesn't have many straight streets. Does CT have many straight anything?

Pretoria

It is a little known fact that Johannesburg has more Jacaranda trees than Pretoria!

Oh, and ... PRETORIA BLY PRETORIA! ;)

Things we didn't know!

Eish Simon. 90% of the things in your article are WELL KNOW facts about Pretoria. How about doing some proper research and talk about the "White Jacaranda's" in Herbert Baker Street ?

Please answer me this...

WHAT is everyone on about Jo'burg and not Jozi? What is the difference? Funny article - badly researched though.

Pretoria

Pretoria is as Afrikaans as you can get.
And it's the best city in South Africa!

Capital City

Pretoria is the Capital City of South Africa and its where you'll find all the sporting champions in South Africa (i.e. rugby, soccer, athletics and the list goes on...). Adn the two best trains resides in Pretoria (i.e. the Blue Train and Rovos Rail).

Did the editor of GoTravel read this before it was uploaded?

I'm absolutely shocked that this article was put on this site for the public to read! It's written distatefuly, offensive to certain social groups or classes, non-sensical and portrays our country negatively. Should we not be promoting Pretoria for th soccer and the Gautrain instead of being so negative. Please can someone explain what the use of points 3 and 8 are?? Were they necessary? What happened to publishing articles of a high quality for the general public to read and enjoy??

Mrs Ples

Mrs Ples is estimated at 20 million years old and yet the majority of Pretoria believe that the earth is just 6000 years old! Amazing.

Mighty Apies river

Churchill was quoted saying he swam across the "mighty Apies river" when he escaped. Poor chap.

Ignorant!

Never knew that Jo'burg is Jozi? You are really an ID 10 T!

Simon Shame!

Baised and Boring!! Nothing about the townships facts! Shame on you Williamson.

Jozi!!!

What a stupid comment Slow boat Chris made on the 19th.
Never knew joburg is also called jozi :)

Cape Town?

Cape Town might have a mountain, but here in Pretoria we actually have money.

badly written?

To "poor taste" and "sad" I would like to ask in what way is this article badly written? Lightweight maybe, but the grammar's fine and I, for one, appreciate a bit of humour, "low" or otherwise! Maybe you could do better? Naaah.....probably not!

Poor taste

Does no one review or check these articles before they are published online? It's very badly written, in such poor taste and I find it offensive that the writer has to resort to such low "humour"! Pathetic!

@morena

Try getting a sense of humour morena. It was an appropriate throwaway comment based on the stupidity of Julis Malema who said there was no word for "hermaphrodite" in Pedi, and therefore, for him, such a thing didn't exist. Cynical jokes don't get made unless there's a reason for them. In this case the reason is Malema who is, indeed a joke!

Sad

Very badly written article...

i was starting to enjoy this

i was starting to enjoy this article up untill you put "hermaphrodites" poor taste, didn't see any reason why you should be bordering along that issue.

can YOU people write and article without making cynical jokes about people who have never in your life time bothered and i bet your friends with the same mentality of yours would call me up tied person who needs to relax

Although Church Street is

Although Church Street is the longest street in Pretoria, it is in fact Paul Kruger Street which is the main street in Pretoria.

pretoria/tshwane/gautrain

Interestingly, with regard to Point 6) I can find no mention in any of the websites devoted to Pretoria and its history, of any reference to the name Tshwane prior to the arrival of white settlers in the 1850's. With regard to Point 4) the Gautrain will terminate at the existing Pretoria station which is about as far out of the centre of town as its possible to be. It effectively renders the Gautrain a waste of time for somone like me who travels daily from Joburg to Pretoria West. Why didn't they put a Gautrain circle around Pretoria?

Pretoria

I tend to believe you about Pretoria being an outer surburb of Joburg. The trick really comes when you are in Midrand which is in Northern Joburg. Sometimes it is difficult to tell where Centurion, which is a surburb of PTA, ends and where Midrand starts.

And...

...Cape Town has a mountain my bru... and our cars are not covered in purple speckles :-)

More Pta Facts

Pretoria is the home of the current Rugby Super14, as well as CurrieCup Competition CHAMPIONS