Which Country Has Three Capital Cities?

• South Africa has 3 capitals: Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein.
• 1910 compromise: each of 4 colonies wanted to be capital.
• Pretoria is administrative, Cape Town legislative, Bloemfontein judicial.

If asked about the capital of India, you would likely say ‘New Delhi’. On the other hand, if questioned about the capital of India’s neighboring country, Sri Lanka, many might respond with Colombo. However,

Sri Lanka actually has two capitals: Colombo, the Executive and Judicial Capital, and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the Legislative Capital.

But today’s question is: Can you name a country with not one or two, but three capitals?

The country in question is South Africa, whose story dates back more than a century. In 1910, when South Africa unified as a single country, it became known as the Union of South Africa. Prior to unification, the region comprised four powerful colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony. Each held its own history, pride, and political influence, and each wanted the new capital situated in their area.

Cape leaders advocated for Cape Town due to its historic Parliament building. Transvaal favoured Pretoria, which had become the government centre post-Anglo-Boer War. Orange River Colony pushed for Bloemfontein, which had the largest courts.

Unable to agree, the leaders sought a compromise to maintain stability. They decided that power should be divided, giving each major region a national responsibility. Thus, Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein shared the role.

Today, Pretoria is the administrative capital, housing the President’s office and many government departments. Cape Town is the legislative capital, home to the country’s Parliament and notable historic buildings. Bloemfontein, quieter and more central, serves as the judicial capital and hosts the Supreme Court of Appeal.

This arrangement may seem confusing, but it functions well for South Africans. Each city has its unique rhythm: Pretoria handles daily decisions, Cape Town is busy during parliamentary sessions, and Bloemfontein moves at a slower pace, driven by the courts and academic life.