Words: Betsie Loock-Van der Merwe | Images: Rene Walker
Situated between the N14 and N1 highways and close to the R55, R101 and Brakfontein Road, The Reeds is the perfect location to call home for middle-income residents commuting between the Tshwane metropole and Joburg or Krugersdorp and even Ekurhuleni. This central position also results in the suburb offering comfortable access to Lanseria International Airport, OR Tambo International, as well as the Gautrain network.
The leafy older parts of the neighbourhood were established in the early 1980s while new developments are taking place at a steady pace. Even so, the area still boasts a tranquil residential ambience and o¬ffers a community-oriented lifestyle close to amenities like churches, schools, hospitals, shopping and business services and various recreational facilities close by.
Property
Almost 65% of residential properties in The Reeds belong to well-established owners under the age of 50, while only 5,6% of these property owners are aged over 65. The real-estate market in this area is aimed mainly at start-up individuals and young families.
Buyers can enter the market at around R550,000 to R 600,000 for a single one-bedroom stacked apartment. There are many townhouse complexes comprising compact two- and three-bedroom units in The Reeds. These range in size and price from about R700,000 to more than R1,2m.
Freestanding houses are available in estates, but there are also a lot of freestanding properties available in the older established residential part for those who prefer to live on their own private stand. These properties sell for between R1,3m and R1,4m on average but, depending on size, can exceed R2m.
Schooling
Uitsig Primary School is conveniently located in the heart of The Reeds. The school played a pioneering role in introducing the first designated African-languages classroom at a government school in Centurion – the first official isiZulu and Setswana classes were presented in January 2013.
Jacaranda College and Pre-Primary is an independent school in the suburb o¬ffering education to learners from Grade RR to Grade 7. Laerskool Rooihuiskraal is situated just north of The Reeds in the bordering suburb of Rooihuiskraal. Hoërskool Uitsig is located a few minutes’ drive from Uitsig Primary School and o¬ffers quality secondary-phase education. The school was established in 1991 and currently has over 1,100 learners.
Curro Thatchfield Independent School in The Reeds’ western neighbour Thatchfi eld, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. The school offers private education from Grade 1 to Grade 12, while Curro Castle Thatchfield offers pre-primary classes.
Explore
Residents of The Reeds have easy access to the wealth of sport, leisure and entertainment facilities that both Centurion and Midrand have to offer.
In addition to the local Blu Valley Mall that meets all daily shopping requirements, the bigger Mall@Reds with movie theatres and restaurants, as well as the superregional Centurion Mall with even more stores, movie theatres and restaurants, are situated a stone’s throw away from The Reeds. Should one really want to go big on the retail therapy, the new and comprehensive Mall of Africa in Midrand is only a 20-minute drive from The Reeds.
For those who are more active, the neighbouring areas o¬ffer an exceptionally wide choice of golf courses within a short distance from The Reeds, namely Thatchfield Par 3 Golf Course, Copperleaf Golf Course, Blue Valley Golf Course, Midstream, Irene Country Club and even more further afield. The nearby Panorama Golf Range in Rooihuiskraal also has a kids’ playground and hosts regular events like music shows, markets and food stalls. Other nearby sport facilities include Uitsig Squash Club, SuperSport Park and Zwartkops Raceway.
The Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Animal Farm is the ideal spot for picnicking with the kids. Parents can spoil the youngsters with a visit to Go-Play Kids Indoor Play Centre or take them on an interesting and informative trip to Coin World at the nearby South African Mint.
Treat dad to a tour at the SAB World of Beer in Midrand, while moms would enjoy a day of pampering at Hoogland Health Hydro, about a 30-minute drive from The Reeds.
“The Reeds is a suburb catering to families. There is an enormous amount of creches, nurseries, playgroups and day mothers in the area to choose from. We also have excellent primary and good high schools.”
Faye Adams, resident
Shop:
- Blu Valley Mall: local convenience
- Mall@Reds: wide variety
- Oriental City Centurion: crafters’ paradise
- Gateway Corner: popular stores like Hirsch’s, Food Lovers Market, Westpack, Meat World, and Liquor City
- Centurion Lifestyle Centre: more than 90 stores to choose from
Eat:
- Pizza Perfect, Blu Valley Mall: local, casual-dining favourite
- Steers and Fishaways, Blu Valley Mall: a quick bite or take it away
- Grey Owl Spur Steak Ranch: family-style grill restaurant
- Ga Rouge Restaurant & Wine Cellar: upmarket dining experience and walk-in wine cellar
- Hogshead, Mall@Reds: craft beer, grill and smokehouse
Hospitals:
- Mediclinic Midstream
- Netcare Unitas Hospital
- Blu Valley Medical Centre
- Medipark 24
- Rooihuiskraal Municipal Clinic
