Words: Riekie Human | Images: Supplied & Shutterstock
Die Hoewes, Lyttelton and Lyttelton Manor have no shortage of attractions that are rich in culture and chock full of entertainment. Here are just a few of our favourites.
Centurion Art Gallery
As the commercial arm of the Pretoria Art Museum, this lovely gallery is aimed at promoting emerging artists in Tswane. It opened its doors in the late 1980s and since then, the gallery has been home to a variety of inspiring art exhibitions that mirror our country’s vibrant diversity – and gives young local artists the springboard they need. Offering everything from paintings to ceramic works and even performance art and tapestry, the works are for sale to the public at affordable prices and there’s even a comprehensive information centre where educators, students, learners and members of the public can find out more about the visual arts.
Smuts House Museum
Brimful of memorabilia and photographs dating back from when Jan Smuts was a general in the Anglo-Boer War, a commander in World War One, and second-in-command to Winston Churchill in World War Two. The fascinating line-up here also includes Smuts’ original library, the Oubaas Trail (about 2,3km long, with gorgeous views and plenty of bird-watching opportunities), an arboretum, and the monument of the Smuts family. The trails explore these features in-depth, which is well worth your while, as Smuts’ deep love of plants meant he spent vast amounts of time exploring the countryside and collecting them – so there’s lots to see and learn here Visit website
Home of General Smuts
Centurion Society of Model Engineers
There’s something incredibly beguiling about the trains and when a group of like-minded gentlemen formed a club way back in 1961, dedicating it to their love of trains and calling it the “Pretoria Live steam Club/Pretoria stoomtrekkragklub”, they were so passionate about their hobby that they ran this club from their respective garages, where they also built model trains. Almost two decades later, a site was made available for the club and since 1993, the club has been officially known as Centurion Society of Model Engineers. Visit website
Movies at Ster-Kinekor Centurion Mall
What better way to round off a day or even an afternoon of shopping than to sit back and relax while watching the latest blockbuster movie? Centurion Mall is not just one of the region’s most popular retail centres (offering a wide range of shops, services, leisure options and excellent eateries), but the Ster-Kinekor here always features the latest and greatest movies on the circuit in spacious cinemas with comfy seats. Visit website
Centurion Theatre
Stylish and boasting all the bells and whistles when it comes to modern-day theatre equipment, the Centurion Theatre is a popular choice. From local singing talents (including the likes of Touch of Class, Mel Botes, Elvis Blue and Chris Chameleon and BOO) to famous actors, this is where you can sit back and relax with a glass of topnotch wine and enjoy a world-class show – in an intimate environment that promotes the local arts. Visit website
