Kya Rosa, Victorian building at University of Pretoria, South Africa
Kya Rosa is a Victorian building at the University of Pretoria featuring ornate woodwork and decorative details at the main entrance on Roper Street. The structure serves today as the Office for Alumni Relations and provides conference spaces for university events and gatherings.
The original building was constructed in 1895 for Leo Weinthal and served as the first home of the Transvaal University College before undergoing reconstruction in 1983. Its rebuild maintained the Victorian style to preserve the connection to the university's founding era.
The building name blends Rosa, named after Leo Weinthal's wife, with Kya, meaning house in Zulu, showing how different cultures shaped the place. Visitors walking through notice how European design choices sit alongside recognition of local languages and heritage.
The building sits at an easily accessible location on the university campus near the main entrance branch on Roper Street. Visitors should arrive during regular business hours when the offices and event spaces are operational for tours or observation.
Architect Albrecht Holm used precise measurements and historical photographs to create an exact replica of the original Victorian structure during its 1983 reconstruction. This faithful approach allowed the building to be restored as authentically as possible despite being entirely rebuilt.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
