In a year in which South Africans celebrate 20 years of freedom, there is one particular feature of Canberra which the nation's outgoing high commissioner to Australia is going to miss -- the freedom from traffic.
As she shared the manicured surrounds of South Africa House with the public on Saturday, Koleka Mqulwana said the capital had grown on her.
"When I arrived here I thought good gracious, we're supposed to be in Sydney, because you know the difference," she said.
"But living here for the four years, one thing I'll miss the most is that you can time your program very well without any disruptions because there's no traffic," she said.
Ms Mqulwana said South Africa had taken a conscious decision to have a year-long 20th anniversary celebration of the nation's first free elections in April 1994.
In addition to widespread improvements at home, this included marking 20 years of bilateral relations with countries including Australia.
"We feel as South Africans we have a lot to celebrate, and a lot we've learned out of apartheid, and part of that is to be the champion for a better world," she said.
Having seen three Australian prime ministers during her time as head of mission, Ms Mqulwana said it was a former foreign minister - now ANU's chancellor Gareth Evans - who she would most remember when she departs in December.
"His influence while he was serving in the UN Security Council, making sure that sanctions [were passed], and not politically but economically, in squeezing the government of apartheid - and with all others who have played that role - those are the people that history will always remember," she said.
The high commissioner, who speaks Xhosa, English and Zulu, said she would also leave Australia with a firm impression of a vibrant, active community.
"The citizens here engage on the issues of budget; if you are coming with reviews, they will tell you if you are right or wrong," she said.
The South African High Commission open gardens are a fundraiser for the Marymead not-for-profit organisation. Entry is $8 for adults, with children free.
The gardens, on the corner of State Circle and Rhodes Place, Yarralumla, will be open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, with half-hour tours at 11am and 2pm.
