Tshwane is a metropolitan area established in 2000 in terms of a new local government structure. Since it incorporates Pretoria, Tshwane is now the seat of government administration.

Tshwane is administrated by the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (City of Tshwane) and incorporates 13 former local authorities, namely those of Pretoria, Centurion, Akasia, Soshanguve, Mabopane, Atteridgeville, Ga-Rankuwa, Winterveld, Hammanskraal, Temba, Pienaarsrivier, Crocodile River and Mamelodi. Each area makes a unique contribution to the diversity of the landscape and the people of Tshwane.

But the charm of this progressive city lies in its unity – the harmonious blend of African roots and European traditions. Tshwane is proud of its rich culture, and is as beautiful as it is welcoming. No visit to South Africa would be complete without a visit to Tshwane.

Fast facts

Province:             Gauteng

Area:                     2 198 km² (about 65 x 50 km)

Population:         2,34 million (about ten inhabitants per hectare)

Language:           All the official languages of South Africa (Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu) are spoken in Tshwane. According to the last census, the most common home language is Sepedi, followed by Afrikaans, Setswana, Xitsonga, isiZulu and English.

Time zone:          GMT +2

Altitude:              1 350 m

Climate:               Moderate with hot summers and mild winters (June/July). Average temperatures for June: 4 °C (min) to 20 °C (max). Rainfall occurs mainly during the summer (November to February).

Industry:              The large automotive cluster is a key economic driver.

Education facilities:         Numerous tertiary institutions and research organisations and has the highest average level of education in the country.

Other:   Administrative capital

Interesting facts

• Tshwane is home to the largest number of embassies in the world, after Washington DC.
• The main street, Church Street, is the longest urban street in South Africa and one of the longest straight streets in the world.
• Many streets are lined with jacaranda trees, and there are around 70 000 of these. The trees blossom purplish blue in spring, giving rise to the city's nickname, "Jacaranda City".

Origin of the name Tshwane

Tshwane is named after a local chief by the same name. Tshwane is also the traditional African name for this area which, according to legend, was used by the early African inhabitants who lived near the local Apies River under the chieftainship of Chief Tshwane. Chief Mushi, the father of Chief Tshwane, had moved up from Zululand and settled in the area before the arrival of the Voortrekkers, the Afrikaners who trekked from the Cape Province during the 1830s.