WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE | IMAGES: RENE WALKER & GOOGLE MAPS
The suburb of Wierda Park in Centurion West originated in the 1970s. This era in the residential building industry was characterised by the division of urban smallholdings or plots into lovely large suburban stands of on average between 1,000m2 and 1,500m2 in size.
Today, Wierda Park is one of the few middle-income suburbs in this area still offering sizable conventional family homes on large freestanding erven with established wooded gardens and lots of extra features like pools, granny flats, staff accommodation and the like.
In addition to breathing space and wide tree-lined streets, the suburb boasts a great location for residents working in the greater Centurion area as well as commuters to and from other areas. Wierda Park is situated minutes away from the N1 and N14 intersection, giving motorists quick and easy access to the cities of Pretoria and Joburg as well as the West Rand and Northwest Province.
As a place to call home, Wierda Park also ticks another valuable box, namely convenience. The area has well-developed infrastructure and amenities like a post office, police station, nearby library, Gautrain station, clinic and hospital, as well as many church denominations and several top primary and high schools.
The suburb is home to an abundance of businesses and professional practices, and it offers a large variety of shops, restaurants and recreational facilities.
Finally, on the list of positives is a supportive community. The suburb is well-known for its effective security and community initiatives and friendly family-oriented neighbourhood.
Property
The current real-estate market in this area is dominated by freestanding residential properties and townhouses in traditional townhouse complexes as well as homes in lifestyle and security estates.
On average residential properties in this area – some in mint condition and others needing some degree of attention – are reasonably priced. A huge portion of available freestanding homes falls in the R1,5m to R2m segment, while a comfortably sized two- to three-bedroom townhouse can be acquired for on average R900,000 to R1,3m. Almost as a rule, properties above R2,5m are large with multiple bedrooms and add-ons suitable for extended families, guesthouses and so on.
Many of the larger properties in the main thoroughfares like Ruimte, Theuns van Niekerk, Rooihuiskraal, Willem Botha roads and others, have been rezoned and are now serving as business premises. Commercial properties are also available for sale.
Statistics show the biggest portion of stable homeowners in the area falls between the ages of 35 and 65 (almost 75%), while this is also the age category which reflects the largest buying and selling activity.
Schools
Wierda Park is home to a great collection of well-established, highly rated primary schools. These include English-medium schools like Wierda Park Primary School and Springvale Primary School, while Laerskool Wierdapark and Laerskool Bakenkop both offer Afrikaans-medium education.
Secondary phase learners have the option of attending Sutherland High School, Hoërskool Zwartkop or Hoërskool Eldoraigne.
All of these are established, well-performing high schools of good standing. The neighbourhood also makes ample provision for pre-school children ranging from babies to pre-primary kids. Explore Wierda Park’s location on the western outskirts of Centurion but close to the bustling city, spoils residents with the choice of relaxing in the countryside or enjoying the pleasures and delights on offer in a big metropolis.
Outdoor places of interest nearby include Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain and Bishop Bird Park, the well-known Voortrekker Monument and Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum, as well as Zwartkops Raceway and Zwartkop Country Club.
There are also lots of indoor entertainment on offer. Both Mall@Reds and Centurion Mall have movie theatres and some lovely restaurants, coffee shops and kids’ entertainment areas, while Centurion is also known for its great pubs, live entertainment venues and clubs.
“I love the peaceful feeling of living in an older, quieter suburb where our children can play outside, climb trees and enjoy the garden” JENNA BUYS, RESIDENT
SHOPPING
- Centurion Lifestyle Centre: over 90 shops to choose from
- Eldoraigne Village Shopping Centre: easy, everyday shopping
- Mall@Reds: comprehensive shopping
- Wierda Park Centre: neighbourhood centre
- Wierda Village: convenience shopping
EAT
- Mehak Indian Restaurant: the secret to delicious Indian cuisine
- Ocean Basket Mall@Reds: scrumptious seafood specialties
- Pepper Chair: local hangout, loads of fun, good food and drinks
- Pizzeria Milan: highly-rated little Italian restaurant
- Thunder Ridge Spur Steak Ranch: family-oriented chain restaurant
HOSPITALS
- Centurion Eye Hospital
- Lyttelton Municipal Clinic
- Mediclinic Muelmed
- Netcare Unitas Hospital
- Vista (psychiatric) Clinic