Centurion, South Africa

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Centurion, South Africa

Region: Gauteng


Geographic Coordinates: -25.860300, 28.189400
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Climate: Centurion, South Africa experiences a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The rainy season occurs from October to April, with the highest rainfall in January and February.
Population: 236580
Language: English

Centurion, A thriving city located in the Gauteng province of South Africa, Is an ideal location for both business and leisure travelers. Established in 1964, It has since grown into a bustling metropolis with a population of over 236, 000 people. One of the major attractions in Centurion is the SuperSport Park cricket stadium. This world-class facility has hosted numerous international cricket matches and is home to the Titans cricket team. The stadium also hosts concerts and other events throughout the year. Another popular attraction in Centurion is the Irene Village Market.

This outdoor market features over 300 stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to fresh produce. Visitors can enjoy live music, Food trucks, And a variety of entertainment options while browsing through the stalls. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Centurion offers many parks and nature reserves to explore. The Rietvlei Nature Reserve covers over 3, 800 hectares and boasts an abundance of wildlife including rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes, And more than 400 bird species.

The city also has several shopping centers such as Centurion Mall which offers shoppers a wide range of stores from high-end fashion boutiques to local artisanal shops selling unique souvenirs. Centurion’s culinary scene reflects its diverse population with restaurants serving traditional South African dishes as well as international cuisine such as Italian or Chinese food. One popular spot for foodies is Brasserie de Paris which serves French cuisine in an elegant setting. Centurion’s strategic location makes it easy for visitors to explore nearby attractions such as Pretoria’s Union Buildings or Johannesburg’s Apartheid Museum.

Overall, Centurion offers rich cultural heritage combined with modern amenities like shopping centers and excellent dining options all set against stunning natural landscapes making it one of South Africa’s most popular destinations that should not be missed!



Important Landmarks

  1. Irene Dairy Farm
  2. Supersport Park
  3. Centurion Mall
  4. Smuts House Museum
  5. Rietvlei Nature Reserve
  6. Zwartkop Golf Course
  7. Jan Smuts House Museum and Library
  8. Voortrekker Monument
  9. South African Mint Company
  10. The Big Red Barn

Primary Industries

Major Industries and Businesses in Centurion, South Africa

  1. Information Technology
    • Dimension Data
    • Telkom
  2. Finance
    • Standard Bank
    • Nedbank
    • FNB
  3. Real Estate
    • Thriving due to growing population and development of new residential areas
  4. Manufacturing
    • BMW’s Rosslyn plant
    • Barloworld Equipment
  5. Retail
    • Services provided by numerous shopping centers such as the Mall@Reds
  6. Health Care
    • Various hospitals like Unitas Hospital
  7. Education
    • Schools like Cornwall Hill College and Lyttelton Primary School among others located here

Noteable History

  1. The Battle of Rooihuiskraal occurred in 1838 during the Voortrekker-Great Trek era and involved a conflict between the Voortrekkers and Zulu warriors.
  2. In 1867, diamonds were discovered in Kimberley near Centurion, leading to a diamond rush that had a significant impact on South Africa’s economy.
  3. Jan Smuts was a well-known politician and statesman who lived in Centurion for many years and played an important role in South African politics during the early 20th century.
  4. The Union Buildings are located just outside of Centurion in Pretoria and were constructed between 1910-1913 as administrative headquarters for the Union of South Africa.
  5. During apartheid, several protests against racial segregation took place in Centurion.
  6. Nelson Mandela visited Centurion multiple times during his presidency, including for the Gautrain station inauguration.
  7. Irene Village Market is an open-air market operating since 1989 near Centurion’s Irene village.
  8. SuperSport Park cricket stadium is located within Centurion and has hosted numerous international matches over time.
  9. The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (Pretoria Zoo) opened its doors on October 19th, 1899 with two lions as its main attraction but now houses over three thousand animals from all over our planet including many endangered species among them; it’s one of eight zoos around South Africa.
  10. Paul Kruger statue at Church Square Pretoria commemorates one of South Africa’s most famous historical figures – Kruger was president of the South African Republic (Transvaal) from 1883 to 1900 and played an essential role in resisting British colonialism in South Africa.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Smuts House Museum
  2. Irene Dairy Farm
  3. Rietvlei Nature Reserve
  4. Zwartkop Nature Reserve
  5. Voortrekker Monument and Heritage Site
  6. South African Mint Company Museum and Tours
  7. The Big Red Barn
  8. Centurion Mall
  9. Jan Smuts House & Botanical Gardens
  10. Pioneer Museum


Sports Teams

  • Centurion is a city in the Gauteng province of South Africa and boasts several successful sports teams.
  • These include:
    • The Titans Cricket Team
    • Blue Bulls Rugby Team
    • Supersport United Football Club
    • Centurion Hockey Club
    • Irene Golf Club
  • The Titans have won multiple titles since their formation in 2004.
  • The Blue Bulls have a long history of success in rugby union.
  • Supersport United FC has won three PSL titles.
  • The Centurion Hockey Club is one of South Africa’s largest hockey clubs.
  • Irene Golf Club has hosted numerous prestigious tournaments over its long history.
  • Overall, Centurion’s vibrant community spirit is reflected through its rich sporting culture!


  • Cultural Events

    1. Centurion Beer Festival – an annual festival celebrating craft beer and live music.
    2. The Capital Craft Beer Festival – a popular event showcasing over 40 breweries and food vendors.
    3. Centurion Mall’s Night Market – a monthly market featuring local food, crafts, and live entertainment.
    4. The Pretoria HOMEMAKERS Expo – an exhibition showcasing home improvement products, decor, and design ideas.
    5. The Jacaranda FM Spring Walk – an annual 5km or 10km walk through the streets of Pretoria during springtime when the jacaranda trees are in full bloom.
    6. The South African Cheese Festival – a three-day festival held in nearby Stellenbosch that celebrates all things cheese with tastings, workshops, and live entertainment.
    7. The Irene Village Market – a weekly market featuring handmade crafts, artisanal foods, and local musicians in the picturesque village of Irene near Centurion.
    8. The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (now Makhanda) – one of Africa’s largest arts festivals featuring theatre productions, music concerts, dance performances and visual art exhibitions from across South Africa as well as other parts of Africa.

    Note: Some events may be subject to change or cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions or other unforeseen circumstances.


    Cuisine

    • Braai Republic is a well-known restaurant that specializes in traditional South African braai (barbecue) dishes.
    • The Godfather Restaurant has gained popularity for its delicious wood-fired pizzas and Italian cuisine.
    • John Dory’s is a seafood restaurant that offers an array of fresh sushi, fish and chips, calamari, and more.
    • Copperleaf Cafe is renowned for its breakfasts, brunches, and light lunches with an extensive menu of vegetarian options.
    • Black Bamboo Restaurant provides fine dining with a fusion of Asian and African cuisine.
    • The Hussar Grill Centurion serves high-quality steaks in a classic steakhouse setting.
    • Mythos Greek Restaurant Centurion Mall offers authentic Greek cuisine featuring souvlaki, moussaka, gyros, etc.
    • Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Bar is famous for its Cajun-style seafood dishes like crawfish boil and shrimp po’ boy sandwiches.
    • Mugg & Bean Centurion Mall is a popular coffee shop chain that serves breakfasts, sandwiches, salads along with cakes & pastries.
    • Tin Roof Café is a cozy café that serves homemade cakes & pastries along with excellent coffee.

    • Parks and Recreation

      1. Zwartkop Nature Reserve is a great place for nature lovers, with hiking trails, picnic areas, and bird watching opportunities.
      2. Centurion Lake is a popular spot for picnics, fishing, and boating.
      3. Rietvlei Dam Nature Reserve is a large reserve where you can hike, watch birds and see game.
      4. Irene Village Market offers local crafts, food stalls and live entertainment in an outdoor setting.
      5. Supersport Park is a cricket stadium that hosts international matches and other sporting events.
      6. Centurion Mall has cinemas, restaurants and various shops for all your shopping needs.
      7. Acrobranch Adventure Park offers zip lines and obstacle courses for all ages to enjoy outdoors.
      8. Smuts House Museum showcases the life of South African statesman Jan Smuts in his former home turned museum.
      9. Rooihuiskraal Historical Terrain allows visitors to see some of the historical buildings from the area such as churches built in the 1800s.
      10. Centurion Society of Model Engineers runs miniature trains on Sundays at Zwartkops Raceway for train enthusiasts to enjoy.

      Suitcase

      Let The Journey Begin.


Explore more:

Abilene, Texas

Reading Time: 5 minutes Abilene, Texas USA Geographic Coordinates: 32.454300, -99.738400 Climate: Abilene has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in January is around 44°F (7°C) and in July it’s around 83°F (28°C). Precipitation is highest in the

Read More »

Baoshan, China

Reading Time: 4 minutes Baoshan, China Region: Yunnan Geographic Coordinates: 25.121100, 99.169000 Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 2627000 Language: Mandarin Baoshan is a city located in the Yunnan province of China, Situated in the southwestern part of the

Read More »

Puebla, Mexico

Reading Time: 6 minutes Puebla, Mexico Region: Puebla Geographic Coordinates: 19.033300, -98.183300 Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F) Climate: Puebla has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The rainy season typically occurs from May to October. Population: 1576259 Language:

Read More »

Laibin, China

Reading Time: 5 minutes Laibin, China Region: Guangxi Geographic Coordinates: 23.733300, 109.233000 Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 2233900 Language: Chinese Laibin is a city located in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It has a history dating back over

Read More »

Gangneung, South Korea

Reading Time: 6 minutes Gangneung, South Korea Region: Gangwon-do Geographic Coordinates: 37.750000, 128.900000 Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 35.0°C (-4°F to 95°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 215677 Language: Korean Gangneung is a stunning city located in the northeastern part of South Korea, Known for its gorgeous

Read More »

Parnaíba, Brazil

Reading Time: 6 minutes Parnaíba, Brazil Region: Piauí Geographic Coordinates: -2.905000, -41.776900 Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F) Climate: Seasonal. Population: 145705 Language: Portuguese Parnaíba is a city located in the northeastern region of Brazil, In the state of Piauí. It is

Read More »