South Africa House

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Africa House is a building located in Trafalgar Square, London. It is the home of the High Commission of South Africa to the United Kingdom. As well as containing the offices of the High Commissioner, the building also hosts the South African consulate.

South Africa House was built in the 1930s on the site of a derelict hotel. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and opened in 1933. The building was acquired by the government of South Africa, and intended as its main diplomatic presence in the UK. During World War II, Prime Minister Jan Smuts lived there to conduct South Africa's war plans.

In 1961, South Africa became a republic, and its membership of the Commonwealth of Nations expired. Accordingly the building became the South African Embassy. During the 1980s, the building was a focal point of Anti Apartheid protestors in the UK. As the only South African diplomatic building in a public area, the site was targeted by protestors from around the world. During the 1990 Poll Tax Riots, the building was set alight by rioters, although not seriously damaged.

Today South Africa House is no longer a controversial site, and is the focal point of South African culture in the UK. In 2001, Nelson Mandela appeared on the balcony of South Africa House to mark the 10th anniversary of Freedom Day, when the system of Apartheid ended.