South Africa is a vast and diverse country and there is a lot to see and do when you visit the Rainbow Nation. Many of its cities have affectionately been nicknamed. Here we take a closer look at some of these remarkable cities and how they got their special monikers.
Jacaranda City – Pretoria
Pretoria is the capital city of South Africa. The country is said to have three capitals, the other two being Cape Town (as the legislative capital) and Bloemfontein (as the judicial capital); however, Pretoria (as the executive capital), is known as the de facto national capital. Pretoria was named after the Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius, and is located in Gauteng (one of the nine provinces of South Africa). Pretoria received its nickname due to the Jacaranda trees planted in its streets, parks and gardens, which are particularly striking in October and November. The city is sometimes also called Snor City (snor meaning moustache in Afrikaaans).
The City of Gold – Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is located in Gauteng and considered the business capital of the country. It is also the seat of the Constitutional Court. Johannesburg derives its nickname from its past as a gold-mining town, and today remains the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade. The city is also known as eGoli (which means “place of gold” in Zulu), Jo’burg, Jozi and Joeys.
The Mother City – Cape Town
Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa. It is the seat of the National Parliament, and located in the Western Cape. The city is famous for its harbour, its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, as well as renowned landmarks such as Table Mountain. It is referred to as the Mother City, due to its history in the “founding” of the country. However, as this pertains to European settlement, it is often considered a supremacist term.
The Windy City – Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa. Today it forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. It is situated in the Eastern Cape and often simply referred to as PE. It gets its nickname from the strong south-easterly wind that blows along the Algoa Bay coastline. It is also referred to as “The Friendly City,” because, as the name suggests, the city’s people are very friendly.
Diamond City – Kimberley
Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It has a significant history, because of its diamond-mining past. A famous landmark in the city is the Big Hole, which is an open-pit and underground mine. It is often claimed to be the largest hole excavated by hand. Kimberley’s nickname comes from its diamond-mining history, of course.
Below are a few other nicknames for places you may visit in South Africa:
• Alex – Alexandra, a township in Gauteng, one of the poorest urban areas in the country
• Bloem – Bloemfontein, the capital city of the Free State
• Eikestad / Stellies – Stellenbosch, a university town in the Western Cape
• Durbs – Durban, the largest city in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the busiest port in Africa
• Harties – Hartebeespoort, a resort town in the North West
• J-Bay – Jeffrey’s Bay, an Eastern Cape town famous around the world as a surfing hotspot
• Plett – Plettenberg Bay, a popular holiday destination situated on the scenic Garden Route
• Potch – Potchefstroom, a university town in the North West
Originally published on Safaris Lodge