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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 in 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. |
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