À partir de XXᵉ siècle
South Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
South Africa’s three-capital arrangement divides national governmental functions among Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital, Pretoria as the executive capital, and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. The arrangement emerged when the Union of South Africa was created to bring British- and Boer-dominated territories under one political umbrella. It was intended to balance regional interests, although moving government papers between capitals remains expensive.
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Le récit
South Africa’s national government is distributed among three cities rather than concentrated in a single capital. Cape Town is the legislative capital, where laws are made; Pretoria is the executive capital, where the president sits; and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, where the Supreme Court holds its sessions. Each city therefore represents a distinct branch of national authority.
The arrangement developed when different southern African regions were brought together under one Union. Transvaal and the Orange Free State were associated with the Boers, while Cape Colony and Natal were dominated by the British. Dividing capital functions gave these different regions a share in the new national structure and helped white voters accept the political union as serving their interests.
The three-capital system continued after the end of apartheid. The excerpt notes that combining the functions remains controversial because government papers must be moved from Cape Town to Pretoria and back every six months. Despite this expense, South Africa was expected to retain the unusual arrangement, while provinces continued to exercise authority over areas such as schools and medical care.
À partir de XXᵉ siècle
South Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
South Africa’s three-capital arrangement divides national governmental functions among Cape Town, Pretoria, and Bloemfontein. Cape Town serves as the legislative capital, Pretoria as the executive capital, and Bloemfontein as the judicial capital. The arrangement emerged when the Union of South Africa was created to bring British- and Boer-dominated territories under one political umbrella. It was intended to balance regional interests, although moving government papers between capitals remains expensive.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
South Africa’s national government is distributed among three cities rather than concentrated in a single capital. Cape Town is the legislative capital, where laws are made; Pretoria is the executive capital, where the president sits; and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, where the Supreme Court holds its sessions. Each city therefore represents a distinct branch of national authority.
The arrangement developed when different southern African regions were brought together under one Union. Transvaal and the Orange Free State were associated with the Boers, while Cape Colony and Natal were dominated by the British. Dividing capital functions gave these different regions a share in the new national structure and helped white voters accept the political union as serving their interests.
The three-capital system continued after the end of apartheid. The excerpt notes that combining the functions remains controversial because government papers must be moved from Cape Town to Pretoria and back every six months. Despite this expense, South Africa was expected to retain the unusual arrangement, while provinces continued to exercise authority over areas such as schools and medical care.