Words: Betsie Loock-Van der Merwe | Images: Rene Walker
Rietvalleirand is a booming upmarket residential neighbourhood located on Pretoria East’s south-eastern border with Centurion.
Property in this suburb is not only high in demand because of its beautiful countryside setting close to the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve, it also offers superb access to Gauteng’s major highways like the N1, N14 and R21.
Main roads in the area like Delmas, Solomon Mahlangu, De Villebois Murielle and Boeing roads also place neighbouring suburbs within easy reach. Being positioned on the border of the Jacaranda City’s main regions, residents of Rietvalleirand have access to the best educational, medical, shopping and recreational facilities both Pretoria East and Centurion have to offer.
Property
The real-estate market in Rietvalleirand is characterised by a huge variety of property types in the sectional-title and full-title range. These include compact apartments, townhouse complexes, cluster and duet homes, as well as freestanding family homes and glitzy, extravagant residences in exclusive lifestyle or security estates. Accordingly, property
prices also display a huge variation – from entry-level homes starting around R700,000, right through to multi-million-rand properties at the top end of the market.
The age demographics of stable property owners and recent buyers in the area largely – over 80% – lean towards the mature and established resident above the age of 35. This suburb is also home to the popular and comprehensive Sunrise View Retirement Village for 50 plussers.
Being one of Pretoria’s newer suburbs, properties generally boast modern contemporary designs and architecture, open-plan living spaces and high-end finishes. Many have lofts, balconies and/or second storeys with beautiful views over the scenic countryside.
Schooling
Parents of school-going children have a large selection of good primary and high schools in the surrounding areas.
Laerskool Elarduspark in the neighbouring suburb of Elarduspark, is a well-established primary school that welcomed its first 731 learners in 1983. Over the years the school
has distinguished itself as a top school in Pretoria East, offering academic, cultural and sports
education of a high standard.
Pretoria Chinese School, just north east of Rietvalleirand in Wingate Park, boasts a long and proud history since 1934. The school provides quality education to learners from Grade 00 to Grade 12. Although initially established by the Chinese community, children from all backgrounds are welcome. While English is the instruction medium, it also teaches Mandarin from Grade ¬00 as a compulsory second additional language. Afrikaans first additional language is compulsory as well, and isiZulu second additional language was introduced in Grade 1 in 2016 and will progress up the grades each year.
Cornwall Hill College, situated about 6km to the south east of Rietvalleirand, is an independent school established in 1998. The number of pupils has since grown from 380 learners ranging from Grade 0 to Grade 9, to over 1,700 learners from Grade 000 to Grade 12.
Laerskool Monumentpark and Hoërskool Waterkloof are also situated within reasonable distance from the neighbourhood, while Rietvalleirand is home to Rietvlei Akademie, a school focusing on children with ADHD, and Village Waldorf School, which is a small private school providing the educational and spiritual values of Waldorf education.
Explore
Rietvalleirand is literally located only a few minutes’ drive from the Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve. This reserve comprises 3,800ha of open grassland, wetlands, the Rietvlei Dam, as well as indigenous tree species.
It offers many outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family. These include freshwater fishing, hiking, horse trails, camping, game viewing, bird watching, picnicking or enjoying delicious eats and drinks at the Rietvlei Coffee Shop housed in the old farmhouse in the reserve.
The suburb is also centrally located to several golf courses and country clubs in the surrounding areas. Wingate Park Golf Course, Irene Golf Course, Waterkloof Golf Club, Kimiad Golf Course and Driving Range and Centurion Golf Club are all situated within a radius of approximately 12km from Rietvalleirand.
In addition to several small- to medium-sized shopping malls in and around the neighbourhood, Rietvalleirand is also within close proximity to many bigger malls like Menlyn Park, Menlyn Maine, Irene Village Mall, Woodlands Boulevard and Centurion Mall, offering a huge diversity of entertainment ranging from movie theatres and kids’ gaming and play areas to a myriad of restaurants, show venues and even a casino.
“We are extremely happy here. It is a beautiful residential area, safe and clean with lots of trees. Early mornings and late afternoons are perfect for running and walking, even with a pram. We also have excellent access to highways, shops and schools.”
Louise Theron, resident
Shop:
- Cornwall View Shopping Centre
- Vallei Forum local centre
- Elardus Park Shopping Centre
- Irene Village Mall
- Winmore Village Moreleta Park
Eat:
- Roco Mamas Irene Village Mall: build your own smash burger
- Elephant & Friends Moreleta Park: great menu and a friendly pub atmosphere
- Rietvlei Coffee Shop: scrumptious breakfasts and light meals
- Tucson Spur Steak Ranch: great for families
- Ocean Basket Cornwall View: for seafood lovers
See:
- Game and birdlife at Rietvlei Nature Reserve
- Movies at Irene Village Mall
- The historic Erasmus Castle on the hills nearby
- The Smuts House Museum close by
- Cows and other farm animals at Irene Dairy Farm
- Graceland Fun Farm
