If you're in search of the perfect city to raise a family, enjoy a great career, or retire in comfort, Centurion is a top choice. Conveniently situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, it is a breath of fresh air. Here you can escape the concrete jungle with country living but still be close to all the big-city benefits you love.
Centurion is an area steeped in history. Fossils discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves show that hominids lived in the vicinity between two to three million years ago. However, the earliest evidence of modern human habitation in the Centurion area dates back to 1200 AD when black African communities settled in this area.
Centurion has come a long way from being a large town south of Pretoria, with smallholdings and large open spaces. Having experienced growth since 1994, like the rest of urban South Africa, many businesses have relocated there, and property development is boosting the ever-expanding city limits. This development has meant there is now little break between the outskirts of Pretoria to the north, and Midrand and Johannesburg to the south.
Centurion (previously known as Verwoerdburg and before that Lyttelton) is an area with 236,580 inhabitants (2011 census) in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, between Pretoria and Midrand. Formerly an independent municipality, with its own town council, it has been part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality since 2000. Its heart is at the intersection of the N1 and N14 freeways.
Early Settlement and the Erasmus Family
In 1841, a settler family by the name of Erasmus settled down in the area. A number of suburbs are still named after them today. In 1841, the Erasmus family arrived and settled in the area. Daniel Jacobus Erasmus settled on the farm Zwartkop, Daniel Elardus Erasmus on the farm Doornkloof and Rasmus Elardus Erasmus developed the farm Brakfontein. In 1849, Rev.
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Anglo-Boer War and the Irene Concentration Camp
As part of the First Boer War, the battle for Rooihuiskraal (Afrikaans for "Red House Kraal") took place in 1881 here. A Boer commando under the leadership of D.J. Erasmus Jr defeated Colonel Gildea, or "The Blasted Colonel" as they called him, the British Officer Commanding of the Pretoria Garrison. During the Second Boer War, the Irene Concentration Camp was established in 1901 on the farm Doornkloof, as part of the British scorched earth policy, where Boer women and children were housed under extremely poor conditions. At its peak, the camp had 5,500 inhabitants, mostly women and children. Between February 1901 and the end of the war in 1902, 1,249 lost their lives here, about 1,000 of them children.
From Lyttelton to Centurion: A Name Change
Centurion developed from the initial Lyttelton Township that was marked out on the farm Droogegrond in 1904. Lyttelton Manor Extension 1 was established in 1942. Centurion was granted City Council status in 1962 as Lyttelton. Lyttelton was renamed Verwoerdburg in 1967, after Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd, the former prime minister of South Africa who was assassinated the previous year. The surrounding areas, as they grew, came under the same name and Lyttelton became known as one of the suburbs of Verwoerdburg.
The name Centurion was chosen by residents in 1995 (without the option to retain the existing name), soon after the end of apartheid, to match the name of the Centurion Park (now called SuperSport Park) cricket stadium, which is in the area. Previously known as Verwoerdburg, Centurion was renamed in 1995, doing away with a name that was closely linked to the policy of apartheid in South Africa that had been brought to an end.
Following the end of apartheid, the Indian township of Laudium and surrounding suburbs including Erasmia and Claudius, which were formerly a part of Pretoria, were made part of Centurion.
Located at the intersection of two major highways, between Midrand and Pretoria, and with the lovely Hennops River flowing through it, Centurion forms part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. This thriving residential and business center incorporates the Waterkloof Air Force Base and the Swartkop Air Force Base, as well as the SuperSport Park cricket grounds, home to the Titans cricket team.
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Climate and Geography
Centurion is on the Highveld, like Johannesburg and Pretoria, and has a similar climate, with dry, sunny winters (max. daytime temperature around 20 °C dropping to an average minimum of 5 °C), and warm to hot summers (October - April) tempered by late-afternoon showers often accompanied by spectacular thunder and lightning. Hailstorms are not uncommon, but a serious hailstorm has not happened for many years. Summer temperatures range from the mid-20s to the mid-30s (°Celsius).
Centurion Today
Today, Centurion has grown into a thriving city, with fabulous shopping centres, hospitals, hotels, and infrastructure. Centurion also has excellent amenities to help you lead a wonderful life.
As an area, Centurion offers plenty to do after work and on weekends. With so much to offer, Centurion has become a desirable place for buyers and renters. The area's prime location provides easy access to other parts of Gauteng. This is also enhanced with Centurion having its own Gautrain station. The city has a range of affordable and luxury properties from freestanding houses, townhouses, and apartments, to security estates, and cluster developments. Centurion's lifestyle is treasured by the residents fortunate enough to call it their home.
On your property hunt, you'll find Centurion doesn't disappoint. There are modern lock-up-and-go apartments, luxury estate homes, and sectional title properties providing convenience and security. Centurion is typically divided into West and East regions. Centurion's western side is known for its safe gated communities and family-friendly feel. Some of the best suburbs include Monavoni, Eldoraigne, Erasmia, and Wierda Park. Centurion's eastern side is known for a country-living appeal, thanks to the presence of the delightful Irene Dairy Farm. Popular suburbs include Irene, Zwartkops, Hennopspark, and Lyttleton.
With its mild weather, Centurion provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities all year round. During the warmer months, temperatures can hit the mid-20s. In winter, temperatures can fall to the low-to-mid teens. However, it's still common to get plenty of sunshine even during cooler months. With education available from primary school all the way to tertiary level, Centurion ensures your child is well prepared for the working world. For high schooling, your child can attend Sutherland High School, Abbotts Centurion, Hoërskool Centurion, Hoërskool Eldoraigne, Curro Thatchfield High School, or Hoërskool Zwartkop. Whether young or old, Centurion provides stellar healthcare to help you and your family live your best lives. For hospitals, look to Netcare Unitas Hospital, Centurion Day Hospital, Intercare Irene, Centurion Eye Hospital, and Mediclinic Midstream.
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At the top of the list is Centurion Mall, the second-largest shopping centre in the Tshwane metropolitan area. Irene Village Mall provides a lovely experience with tranquil water features, beautiful gardens and hundreds of trees, and over 90 shopping destinations. Forest Hill City Mall is a convenient stop, anchored by Woolworths, Checkers Hyper, Pick n Pay, Foschini Group, and Truworths.
Centurion is approximately 24 minutes (30 km) away from Lanseria International Airport via the N14, depending on traffic. From O.R. Tambo International Airport, it is approximately 40 minutes (59 km) via the R21.
Centurion offers plenty of places to please your palate. Head to Crawdaddy's for a wide variety of seafood and meat dishes of exceptional quality. O'Galito Restaurant is a great stop if you're in the mood for authentic Portuguese cuisine. Touted as "Irene's favourite playground", Whisk Wine Bar has a laid-back venue that offers quality food and beverages, all with a kid's play area. HogsHead is the go-to spot for craft beers and a place to watch the game on a big screen. Industrial Coffee Works will pep you up with their range of brews while Doppio Zero Irene satisfies cravings for gourmet pizzas, Mediterranean dishes, and artisan breads.
AFB Waterkloof and AFB Swartkop are in Centurion. Other military support services, including the former Military Medical Institute (now the Institute for Aviation Medicine), and the former Base Workshops and Vehicle Reserve Park (4VRP), were based in Centurion. There is also a South African Army installation in the area.
The Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV) was formally established in 2006 to create an aerospace supplier park where anchor firms are at the centre of the aerospace cluster and are supported by small and medium-sized producers. The CAV is in Pierre van Ryneveld Park, Tshwane, on state-owned land, adjacent to Aerosud Holdings, and along the eastern boundary of the Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Several hotels including Irene Country Lodge as well as a plethora of smaller guest houses. The Unitas hospital is the largest private hospital on the African continent (including a helipad) and is part of the Netcare group.
Technology companies, including Aerosud, Accenture, Denel Dynamics, Siemens, SAAB Grintek Technologies, Telkom and others such as GMC Aircon, are in Centurion.
Established in 1983 as Verwoerdburgstad ("Verwoerdburg City"), the Centurion Mall was constructed around the Centurion Lake (on the Hennops River) and was the only shopping centre with the standard big-name retailers of that time in Centurion until the 21st century. In 2003, the mall underwent its first major revamp which was estimated at around 250 million ZAR. The mall was also known for its man-made colour water fountain amenity, which was in the centre of the lake, on the north side of the mall (known as the 'bay' area).
Centurion has one of the most secure golf estate in South Africa. The Centurion Golf Estate is about 2 km from Supersport Park.
Centurion Park is a cricket ground in Centurion in South Africa. It is also known as SuperSport Park since television company SuperSport bought shares in the stadium. The Titans cricket team have played most of their home games here since 2004.
Centurion was a venue for the 2003 Cricket World Cup which took place in South Africa. The 2009 Indian Premier League was held in South Africa, and Centurion was one of eight grounds used.
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