There are many reasons to love and settle in Centurion, Gauteng.
The peaceful, well-maintained area of Centurion – with its large houses, flats, estates, smallholdings and friendly residents with a strong sense of community – is ideal for families, students and young professionals. Centurion is located between Pretoria and Midrand, and borders on the City of Johannesburg Municipality, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Mogale City.
It was granted city council status in 1962 as Lyttelton and renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967. The name Centurion was chosen by residents in 1995 to match the name of Centurion Park (now called SuperSport Park) when the area became part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in 2000.
Clive Napier, ward councillor for Lyttelton Manor East for six years and Lyttelton Manor West for nine years, says new property investments are pouring into Centurion Business District. According to him, a piece of open land adjacent to Centurion Mall will soon accommodate an international convention centre and offices for the African Union and United Nations, contributing to prestige of the area.
Golf Estate living is popular in this area, with Copperleaf’s The Els Club, Irene Country Club, Centurion Country Club and Zwartkop Country Club. The area has some of the oldest, most beautiful and prestigious golf clubs in Pretoria.
Angela Ochse (31), a resident of Centurion for six years, likes that it offers easy access to highways to Pretoria, Johannesburg, OR Tambo Airport and Polokwane, plus it has four railway stations (including a Gautrain station) in West Street. Trains run north to Pretoria and Hatfield, and south to Sandton and Johannesburg Park Station, making commuting to work a pleasure. “The station has four feeder bus routes to Highveld, Rooihuiskraal, Wierdapark and Southdowns. It is convenient for office workers and has resulted in a boom in office park and infrastructure development in the area,” says Angela.
Lizl Steggman (31) has lived here all her life, and enthuses about Centurion’s fantastic sporting facilities, including SuperSport Park, Centurion Bulls Action Sports Arena and Zwartkops Raceway. SuperSport Park is home to the Titans cricket team, who have played home games there since 2004. “Centurion Bulls Action Sports Arena has five indoor sports courts to play action cricket, hockey, soccer and netball all year round. Zwartkops Raceway is used for high-speed motoring in competitions and driver development, has 4x4 driver training, vehicle evaluation facilities and a kart circuit,” says Lizl.
Centurion has been home to Bonita Tapai, (33) for four years, and she believes that when it comes to shopping, residents are spoilt for choice with centres such as Centurion Mall, Jean Avenue Crossing and Centurion Lifestyle Centre. She says Jean Avenue Crossing opened stores including Woolworths, Pick n Pay and Dis-Chem in February, providing a modern shopping experience.
Centurion Mall has recently been renovated and provides open-air shopping with many store choices. Centurion Lifestyle Centre offers clothing, banking, health and food choices. One doesn’t have to travel far to buy everyday essentials and these centres have great fashion, dining, entertainment and grocery options
says Bonita.
When it comes to medical facilities, Unitas Hospital, one of South Africa’s largest private hospitals, is situated in Centurion and offers world-class health care through the latest technology and experienced medical professionals. The hospital includes a 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department with helipad and on-site Netcare paramedics.
If it’s schools you need, Centurion has top English and Afrikaans schools including Lyttelton Manor High School, Irene Primary School, Hoërskool Centurion, Cornwall Hill College, Laerskool Wierdapark and specialised academies such as Prue Leith Chef’s Academy. These education centres aim to provide education reflecting needs of the community for learners to reach full potential.
Sean White (35) has lived in Centurion for 15 years, and enjoys its cultural and historical sites, including Smuts House Museum, Irene Village Market, Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Animal Farm, Irene Dairy Farm and Air Force Base Waterkloof. He says with many little hidden places in the area, he is still discovering new places to visit. “The Irene Village Market, which has stalls with food, arts and crafts and curios at Smuts House Museum, is a great family outing. Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Animal Farm have an animal farm, children’s playground, picnic area and braai facilties,” says Sean. He frequents Irene Dairy Farm for fresh dairy products and organic produce. Sean adds that every second year, the African Aerospace and Defence Show with air demonstrations at the Waterkloof Air Force Base is a highlight for residents.
The peaceful area of Centurion with its supportive community, interesting events and convenient educational and entertainment facilities offers a friendly, dynamic environment in which to set down roots.
Things to do in and around Centurion
- Watch a cricket match at Supersport Park
- Take an advanced driving course at Zwartkops Raceway
- Play golf at the Centurion Country Club
- Have a picnic at Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Animal Farm
- Attend Irene Village Market at the Smuts House Museum
- Play action cricket, hockey, soccer or netball at Centurion Bulls Action Sports Arena.
Demand
- Properties listed for sale in Centurion comprise approximately 11% of the total sale listings in the Gauteng province.
- Approximately 11% of the interest (views) in properties for sale in the Gauteng province is attributable to properties listed for sale in Centurion.
- Properties listed for rent in Centurion comprise approximately 6% of the total rental listings in the Gauteng province.
- Approximately 6% of the interest (views) in properties for rent in the Gauteng province is attributable to properties listed for rent in Centurion.
Median asking prices for Centurion properties
R2,45m - For a typical property (three-bedroom house)
R1,23m - For a property in a complex
R680,000 - For a flat
R2,5m - For a house
Median monthly asking prices for Centurion rentals
R15,400 - For a typical rental property (three-bedroom apartment)
R9,500 - In a complex
R15,500 - For a house
R6,700 - For a flat
Property types for sale
82% Houses
5% Flats
13% Complexes
Property types for rent
27% Flats
46% Houses
27% Complexes
Buying in Centurion
The monthly bond repayment to purchase a typical property in Centurion, such as a two-bedroom house, with the median asking price of R2,837m, is R22,837 a month over 20 years at prime of 9,5 % with no deposit.
Take a journey through Centurion here:
This originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
