History
The area that became Centurion was predominantly farmland through most of the 20th century. It was developed as the township of Verwoerdburg from the 1960s as a white residential extension between the two capitals. After 1994 it was renamed Centurion, shedding its association with Hendrik Verwoerd. Significant commercial development followed the extension of the Gautrain Blue Line through Centurion, which opened in 2012 and gave the suburb direct rail connections to OR Tambo Airport, Sandton, and Pretoria. SuperSport Park, the cricket stadium, has hosted international test matches since the 1990s.
What Centurion is Known For
Centurion is best known for SuperSport Park, one of South Africa's premier cricket venues and a regular test and ODI host for the national team. Centurion Mall is one of the largest shopping centres in Gauteng and the retail anchor for the suburb and surrounding areas. The Gautrain Centurion station on the N1 makes it one of the best-connected suburban locations in the country. The suburb has developed a growing technology and corporate office sector in business parks along the N1 and Akkerboom Road corridors.
Key Areas & Neighbourhoods
The area around Centurion Mall and the N1 is the commercial core. Highveld Technopark is a significant business park node to the east. Eldoraigne and Lyttelton are established residential suburbs with older housing stock. Irene is a more upmarket suburban area with larger plots to the southeast, associated with the Smuts House Museum at Doornkloof. Nelmapius and Olievenhoutbosch are the main township areas on the southern and western fringes.
Economy & Industry
Centurion's economy is built on retail services, business parks, and residential growth. The corporate office sector has expanded steadily, with companies choosing Centurion for its midpoint location, lower rentals than Sandton, and Gautrain access. The construction and property sector has been active for over two decades, driven by demand for townhouse complexes and gated estates from Gauteng's growing middle class. Retail is anchored by Centurion Mall and several large format retail parks.
Tips for Visitors & New Residents
The Gautrain Centurion station provides direct connections to Pretoria (10 minutes), Sandton (20 minutes), and OR Tambo Airport (35 minutes) — a significant practical advantage for frequent travellers. The N1 through Centurion is one of Gauteng's busiest corridors and peak hour traffic can be severe in both directions. Centurion offers significantly more space per rand than Sandton or Rosebank for both residential and commercial property. Afternoon thunderstorms from October through March are typical highveld weather and can cause flash flooding on low-lying roads.