Which African country has three capital cities: Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town? South Africa is the answer.
South Africa divides national government functions among three cities. Pretoria is the administrative or executive capital, Cape Town is the legislative capital where Parliament meets, and Bloemfontein is the judicial capital, associated with the Supreme Court of Appeal.
This arrangement dates to the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. The compromise distributed political influence among important centers rather than concentrating every branch of government in one city. Johannesburg, despite being South Africa’s largest city and a major economic hub, is not one of the three national capitals.
The distinction is functional, not merely ceremonial. The president and national departments are based mainly in Pretoria, Parliament sits in Cape Town, and Bloemfontein remains a major center for the higher judiciary. South Africa therefore has three capitals but only one national government.