11 of Pretoria's Top Public Art

Pretoria is a top-notch destination for art lovers, with some of the best art galleries and museums in the country located in the capital city. However, there is also a large number of public art to discover, ranging from historical pieces to contemporary and “fun” art. Here are some of our favorites.
Paul Kruger
Church

Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
The statue of Barry Hertzog, Prime Minister of South Africa from 1924 to 1939, was removed from its longtime spot in front of the Union Buildings to make way for a nine-meter (29.5-f00t) tall statue of Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of the country. This enormous likeness of Madiba was created by sculptors André Prinsloo and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren in the “spirit of reconciliation” pose, with arms wide open and bestowing his blessing upon the people of the Rainbow Nation.
Nelson Mandela statue, Union Buildings, Government Ave, Elandspoort, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 300 5200
Louis Botha

Louis Botha
Also within the gardens of the Union Buildings is the equestrian statue of Louis Botha, by Italian sculptor Raffaello Romanelli. Botha fought in the Second Boer War (1899–1902) and was responsible for the capture of Winston Churchill in 1899. He later worked towards peace with the British and became the first Prime Minister of South Africa.
Louis Botha statue, Union Buildings, Government Ave, Elandspoort, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 300 5200
Chief Tshwane
Building

Little Mama Africa
Stadium

The Long March to Freedom

The Long March to Freedom
One hundred life-sized bronze statues, called The Long March to Freedom, form part of the National Heritage Monument in development around the Fountains Recreation Resort in Groenkloof. The aim is to eventually have 400 statues of significant individuals in the struggle against oppression in South Africa, including historical chieftains and modern activists such as Nelson Mandela, Helen Suzman and Alan Paton.
The Long March to Freedom, Fountains Valley, Groenkloof, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 440 2121
Danie Theron
Historical Landmark

The Spirit of Tshwane

The Spirit of Tshwane
Commissioned by Menlyn Maine shopping center and created by Anton Smit in 2014, The Spirit of Tshwane sculpture is an excellent example of modern public art in Pretoria. Standing 11 meters (36 feet) tall, the sculpture symbolizes the theme of interdependence and growth. The cracked spaces within the two large heads contain other small faces that represent the people of Tshwane.
The Spirit of Tshwane, Menlyn Maine, Corobay Ave, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 361 7758
The Preservator

The Preservator
A quirky, steel sculpture of a rhino appeared mysteriously one night in 2016 outside the Fort Klapperkop Heritage Site. The purpose and symbolism of the rhino guardian baffled the residents of Pretoria for almost a week, before the Office of the Mayor confirmed that it was erected in conjunction with a cleanup project aimed at preventing people from dumping rubbish in the nature reserve. The rhino’s purpose is to preserve nature, while the oxpecker bird sitting on the rhino is to protect the rhino from poachers.
The Preservator, Fort Klapperkop Heritage Site, Johann Rissik Dr, Groenkloof, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 346 7703
Urban Being

Urban Being
Sculpted on commission by Marco Cianfanelli in 2010, Urban Being is an 11.9-meter (39-foot) tall, rusted steel giant that dominates its surroundings in Hatfield. The three-dimensional silhouette of a man in a suit speaks of modern urbanism and the interconnectedness of modern living.
Urban Being, City Lodge Hotel, 407 Hilda Street, Hatfield, Pretoria, South Africa, +27 12 423 5000
The Udder Side

The Udder Side
The Irene Village Mall, with its dairy-farm theme, is home to an unusual sculpture named The Udder Side by artist Angus Taylor. Children love clambering all over the upside-down udder and legs of a dairy cow emerging from the ground. Cast in concrete and topped with cast bronze hooves and teats, this six-meter (19-foot) high sculpture is a humorous homage to the dairy cow, the unofficial symbol of Irene.
The Udder Side, Irene Village Mall, Cnr Nellmapius Dr and Van Ryneveld Ave, Irene Farm Villages, Centurion, South Africa, + 27 12 662 4446
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