Tshwane is Africa with a touch of Europe and a pinch of the Orient. Hooting taxis, buses crammed to capacity and hawkers selling an array of goods at intersections and on sidewalks contrast starkly with the chauffeur-driven vehicles of diplomats and the upmarket malls where the well-heeled shop. However, the city has found harmony since Tshwane became one of the capital areas of our democracy.

A cultural mosaic

Each of South Africa's cultures is represented here. The original residents of the Tshwane valley were the Ndebele, an offshoot of the southern Nguni people. Today the most common language spoken is Sepedi, from the Sotho group originating from the northern areas of Southern Africa. This is followed by Afrikaans, whose large community in Tshwane dates back to the late 1800s when Pretoria was the capital of a Boer republic. Other dominant local languages are Setswana, Xitsonga, isiZulu and English.

There is also a strong influence of cultures brought to the area generations back by immigrants from the Orient and Western Europe who still speak their ancestral tongue and have established mini communities in the city.

Alongside the rainbow people live newer arrivals from numerous African and other countries.

Cathedrals, mosques, temples and churches, modern and old, give a sense of the diversity of Tshwane's people. Tshwane is a mosaic of cultures, languages and creeds – everything one would expect from Africa's leading capital city.

Culture vultures

Tshwane has a long and proud association with the visual and performing arts. The State Theatre is situated here and stages a continuous programme of local, national and international performances including drama, opera, ballet and other dance, music, children's theatre and more. Numerous other theatres are dotted around the city and many parks such as the Botanical Gardens have open-air performances.

Art galleries abound and regular art displays in parks and museums leave little doubt of the creativity of Tshwane's residents. Crafters display their wares in markets, on street corners and at weekend markets.

Both the city's universities have highly acclaimed performing and visual arts faculties.

A smart city

One of Tshwane's defining characteristics is its high concentration of academics, researchers and scientists. It is a proven leader in education, research and technology, electronics and information technology, and defence design and construction. An estimated 85% to 90% of all research and development in South Africa is conducted here, and the city is home to South Africa's first science park, the Innovation Hub.

Tshwane also has a high literacy level, with only 8,7% of residents older than 15 being categorised as illiterate (having less than four years of formal education).