WORDS: BETSIE LOOCK-VAN DER MERWE IMAGES: SUPPLIED
The suburb of Valhalla, located in Centurion North between the legendary Swartkop Air Force Base and Zwartkop Nature Reserve, is possibly one of Pretoria’s best preserved neighbourhoods – in its original form. With almost no building activities going on in this area because of the neighbouring nature reserve, air force and military bases, Valhalla is undeniably a true gem in terms of a quiet and unflustered lifestyle, within minutes’ reach of big city conveniences.
Valhalla is located within easy access of main arteries in the area like Wierda Road (M10), Old Johannesburg Road (R101), the R55 linking up to the N4 highway, Ben Schoeman Freeway (N14) and the N1.
Properties here are big and reasonably priced and offers plenty of opportunities for entry-level buyers and middle-income families to own their own homes. Valhalla is a multicultural, family-oriented neighbourhood with its own primary schools, churches and local shops while it’s also close to other amenities like hospitals, a police station, big shopping centres and the entertainment hub of Centurion.
Property
The real estate offering in Valhalla includes some apartment and townhouse blocks, but for the most part it comprises large standalone, “golden oldie” family homes on generally big stands. There are no towering buildings, and nothing is crammed or squeezed in in this neighbourhood.
The apartments and townhouses on the market do not only offer old-style space but also an affordable standard of lock-up-and-go, low-maintenance living. First-time buyers or small families can enter this market at an average price of around R700,000, and there’s quite an assortment of these available in the R800,00 to R1m price range.
If you’re looking for real value for money, breathing space and a sturdy three-bedroom home where the kids can roam free in your front yard, and where you can throw a pretty big braai or enjoy meals at a dining table big enough for the whole family, Valhalla is your neighbourhood!
There are ample opportunities available to invest in one of these homes for under R1,5m. If you’re looking for even more space or a revamped or double storey home, you’ll have quite a choice in the R1,6m to R2,5m price brackets.
Schools
Even though Valhalla has a few nursery and primary schools, the suburb is closely situated to bordering neighbourhoods like Eldoraigne, Lyttelton and Swartkop, where many learners and especially high school learners are well-catered to.
Laerskool Valhalla was the first primary school in this suburb and opened its doors to learners in 1956. Today the school is known as Vhalliespark Primary School and it offers English-medium education to its diverse group of learners.
Valhalla Primary School was established in the mid-1960s. The school prides itself in offering a modern and stimulating educational environment engendering a strong sense of uniqueness. Primary school children of the area also attends Laerskool Swartkop and Laerskool Wierdapark in the bordering neighbourhoods. These schools were founded in 1969 and 1972 respectively.
High school learners generally go to Sutherland High School or Hoërskool Eldoraigne in the nearby suburb of Eldoraigne. Both these schools are top-performing well-commended public schools. Hoërskool Swartkop was also established in later years to cater to secondary education, while some pupils residing in Valhalla also attends either Hoërskool Centurion or Lyttelton Manor High School. These schools are in the well-established neighbourly suburb of Lyttelton Manor.
Explore
Valhalla has much to offer its residents in terms of sport and healthy recreational activities. This neighbourhood boasts several baseball clubs, a tennis club and a kickboxing gymnasium offering amateur kickboxing development.
Valhalla is also home to the well-known Samba soccer training venue and football club, as well as The Scuba Studio which offers scuba diving training. Residents can participate in indoor cricket and netball at Valhalla Vikings Indoor Sports Arena, while the Karate School of Champions Clubs practices the Shotokan karate style of the Japan Karate Shoto Federation for many decades already.
The community is proud of their own parkrun event which was established about two years ago and is thoroughly enjoyed by old and young.
Valhalla is located only a few minutes’ drive from both the popular Zwartkops Golf Course and the well-established renowned Services Golf Club lying just a few kilometres to the north of Valhalla.
I’ve been living in Valhalla forever and will never move. We’re a close-knit community and we stand together to create a pleasant neighbourhood. DANNY BREWIS, RESIDENT
SHOP
- Valhalla Shopping Centre: neighbourhood centre
- Highlands Shopping Centre: community retail centre just across from the road
- Eldo Square: convenience centre in neighbouring Eldoraigne
- Jean Crossing: contemporary shopping environment in Clubview
- Centurion Mall: well-known comprehensive super-regional mall in Centurion Central
EAT
- Don’t Cook: home-cooked meal service, delivery or pick-up
- Valhalla Poorboys: variety of takeaway food
- Zwartkop Country Club Restaurant: old-time favourite
- More Restaurant & Tea Garden: family-friendly, relaxed ambiance
- The Malboer.com Sports Bar & Grill: local hangout, bar, restaurant, and driving range
HOSPITALS NEARBY
- Netcare Unitas Hospital
- 1 Military Hospital
- Centurion Day Hospital
- Centurion Eye Hospital
- Life Groenkloof Hospital
