Churchill never returned to the country that afforded him fame and was instrumental in launching his illustrious political career. When Pretoria celebrated its centenary in 1955, Churchill was invited as a guest of honour by the city fathers. He declined the invitation – at the age of 80 he had only just left office as British Prime Minister – saying: “It is my privilege, as one not unacquainted with Pretoria’s hospitality, to offer the city my heartiest congratulations.”