High Commission of South Africa in London
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The High Commission of South Africa in London is located at South Africa House, a building located in Trafalgar Square, London. As well as containing the offices of the High Commissioner, the building also hosts the South African consulate.
South Africa House was built by Holland, Hannen & Cubitts in the 1930s on the site of a derelict hotel. The building was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, with architectural sculpture by Sir Charles Wheeler, 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 while conducting 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 7th anniversary of Freedom Day, when the system of Apartheid ended. The first democratic elections in South Africa were held on the 27th April 1994.
