General Post Office on Church Square

The history of the postal services in the Transvaal region (now Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and part of North west Province) can be traced back to the mid-19th century. It's a tale of growth, from humble origins to the grandeur of architectural prowess. The General Post Office in Pretoria stands as a testament to this evolution.

Prominently located on the north-western side of Church Square, the General Post Office is a visual treat for history and architecture enthusiasts. The four-storey edifice, designed in the neo-Renaissance style, replaced the preceding long, single-storey sandstone structure. The present plastered façade building was conceptualized by William Hawke, a student of the renowned Sir Herbert Baker.

Hawke's design masterfully incorporates elements of art deco, marrying them with classical features like Doric columns and ornamental relief work on the façades, rendering the building a unique character.

It's intriguing how the official postal services in Transvaal came into existence. Before the appointment of "Postal Workers" by the Volksraad on 20 September 1848 in Ohrigstad, there was no organized postal system in the region. Mail depended solely on the goodwill of travelers or specific messengers.

This changed in 1850, when the Volksraad, sitting in Lydenburg, initiated a regular letter post to operate between Lydenburg and Potchefstroom. Funded by voluntary contributions, this service allowed donors free postage, while non-contributors bore the costs at a set tariff. However, this postal system had its limitations—being uncertain and often causing dissatisfaction due to its irregularity.

By 1863, recommendations were made, and subsequently approved, to relocate the postal headquarters to Pretoria. The move marked the beginning of Pretoria's prominence in the postal network.

October 1874 witnessed a significant shift when both the post office and the landdrost's office relocated to the Austin building, which was situated on the current post office's site. Owned by Willie Austin, a Portuguese trader, transformed the building into a store for his trade goods. Later, this establishment underwent renovations to host the post office and landdrost.

By 1887, the city flaunted a new post office—an imposing single-storey, L-shaped structure—built on the same grounds where the Austin Building once stood. Additionally, it also housed the Landdrost's office.

However, by the early 20th century, the demands of the growing city began to take a toll on the old post office structure. By 1905, it was evident that the building was too small and deteriorating. Thus, plans for a new Grand Post Office were set in motion.

William Hawke, the mind behind the Johannesburg City Hall's design, was brought on board for this monumental project. On 2 March 1910, the Earl of Selbourne, Governor of the Transvaal, laid the foundation stone for the new post office. William Nottingham undertook the building's construction.

One of the artistic enigmas surrounding the post office is the sculpture of a naked couple positioned beside the clock above the side entrance. The sculptor's identity remains unknown to this day.

The General Post Office on Church Square isn't just an architectural marvel; it's a symbol of Pretoria's growth and its rich history. Today, it stands as a testament to the city's past, narrating stories of its evolution, from the days when mail was carried by special messengers to the grandeur of neo-Renaissance architectural style.

The single-story post office. The façade which included the clock and the Republican coat of arms was later replaced with a gable due to deterioration. (Photo: 1887)

The clock sculpture by an unknown artist (Photo: 2015)