Besides the wide selection of property, residents of this diverse neighbourhood also enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, a great location and a fantastic range of amenities.
Moreleta Park is one of Pretoria’s largest and most diversified middle to higher income residential hubs. This well-established leafy suburb, located about 12km to the southeast of the city centre, boasts a colourful history.
The suburb is evidently named after the Moreletaspruit meandering through parts of the neighbourhood. It’s believed that the name Moreleta is derived from the Northern Sotho name, Moretelwa, which refers to the raisin bush used to make an alcoholic drink.
Back in the early 1800s, the Rademeyer family owned much of the original farm, Garsfontein. Jacobus Cornelis Rademeyer married Cornelia Johanna Erasmus and they ran a dairy farm on the portion where Moreleta Kloof is today. Carel Erasmus bought the farm in the late 1800s and built a house where the chapel is today. Then in 1903 Carel’s son in law, Johan Marneweck, built his house on the land as well. This house was converted into the now renowned Rademeyers Restaurant, situated at the entrance to the Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve.
Resident Jeannie du Plessis says when they bought a stand here some 30 years ago, they just loved the fact that the shops, hospitals, doctors, schools and even the Wingate running club were within walking distance from their home. “We still love the neighbourhood and for this reason, are very involved in our community.
“We often visit Kimiad with its golf course, restaurants and lovely surroundings where the kids can play. We also love the beautiful Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve, where nature lovers can enjoy a peaceful walk through dense bushes along the Rademeyerspruit. This special place is accessible to people in wheelchairs, as well as the visually impaired. We’re working very hard to keep it tranquil and safe,” says Jeannie. Moreleta Park offers residents and commuters an excellent location on the tranquil suburban outskirts of the city.
The suburb is bordered by the main roads of Solomon Mahlangu linking up to the N1 and R21 highways. This road also joins up with the N4 in the north. Other main arteries connecting Moreleta Park with its neighbouring suburbs and the city are Delmas Road, Garsfontein Road, De Villebois Mareuil Drive and Rubenstein Drive.
Moreleta Park is closely located to the comprehensive and modern shopping centres of Woodlands Boulevard and Parkview, but the suburb boasts many other smaller but convenient shopping centres such as Moreleta Plaza, Moreleta Square, The Village and many more.
The suburb is also known for its many cosy restaurants, pubs and meeting places and residents have easy access to every other amenity imaginable. Moreleta Park offers a wide-ranging choice of property types, from neat and compact apartments and flats, to secure townhouse complexes and properties in upmarket security estates.
This is a neighbourhood where you know your neighbours. Lots of our friends in Moreleta Park have been staying here forever. Why would one leave here, when you’re surrounded by so many nice people?
-Jeannie du Plessis, resident
Schools near Moreleta Park:
- Laerskool Constantiapark
- Laerskool Elarduspark
- Hoërskool Waterkloof
- Hatfield Christian School
- Woodhill College - Curro
- Pretoria Chinese School
Medical facilities in Moreleta Park:
- Moreleta Park Clinic
- Netcare Pretoria East Hospital
- Mediclinic Kloof
- Life Faerie Glen Hospital
- Denmar Specialist Psychiatric Hospital
Things to do in Moreleta Park:
- Play a round of golf at Kimiad Golf Course and Driving Range or Woodhill Country Club.
- Get close to nature at Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve, take along a picnic basket or enjoy a scrumptious meal at Rademeyers Restaurant.
- Parkview Shopping Centre offers a host of entertainment options including The Rockwood Theatre, Nu-Metro cinemas and some lovely restaurants.
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
