The suburb of Monavoni, originated from farm portions in the south-western stretch of the greater Centurion area.
Its location alongside the R55, which connects Pretoria and Sandton, and just north of the R114 and N14 linking Centurion to Krugersdorp on the West Rand, is one of the suburb’s most strategic advantages.
“This attractive locality together with ongoing development of the area reduces the travelling distance to work and all amenities needed for daily living to the minimum,” says Rosa Anderson, a resident who has lived on a smallholding in Monavoni since 1985. She remembers when Monavoni mainly comprised agricultural holdings and the suburb of Wierda Park (about 7km north-east) was their nearest “city”.
A huge number of medium-density complexes and upmarket security estates have since been erected, catering for people from the middle to the top income groups. Available dwellings in Monavoni are suitable for first-time buyers and families alike. Undeveloped land offers unlimited opportunities for investors/developers, and word has it that Monavoni and surrounds would sooner or later sprawl into North West Province. Despite the evolution from farms to a self-sustained suburb, the neighbourhood has retained its rural look and feel to a reasonable degree.
Monavoni offers convenient access to a huge number of good schools, various churches, shopping facilities and a pleasant mix of entertainment: from spending a day at the imposing Forest Hill City mall, to playing golf at the Ernie Els-designed and highly acclaimed The Els Club at Copperleaf at the nearby Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate.
There are two versions of the story of how Monavoni got its name. Each one features a young woman with the name Mona, one of the first owners of the farm’s daughter. One version has it that this young lady was asked to marry a young man from the area, but she declined his proposal and the farm was named “Mona wou nie” (Afrikaans which means “Mona didn’t want to”). The second version has it that Mona’s siblings wanted to sell the original farm, but she refused. Whether true or false, Monavoni has developed into one of Gauteng’s most sought-after addresses.
Security is top of the priority list and we have an outstanding neighbourhood watch as well as the services of Monitornet.
Rosa Anderson, resident for 31 years
Medical facilities nearby:
- Netcare Unitas Hospital
- Mediclinic Midstream
- Netcare Waterfall City Hospital
- Rooihuiskraal Clinic
Nature nearby:
- Rietvlei Nature Reserve
- Rooihuiskraal Resort /Nature Reserve
- Groenkloof Nature Reserve
- Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve (on the R540)
Top schools nearby:
- Wierda Park Primary School
- Laerskool Wierdapark
- Springvale Primary School
- Hoërskool Eldoraigne
- Sutherland High School
- Hoërskool Zwartkop
Take a trip through Centurion here:
Estate agent insight into the Monavoni area:
Monavoni in a nutshell
Monavoni has a variety of estates where many families enjoy the beauty of the land and amenities around. Well-known estates such as Stone Ridge Country Estate, Silver Wood Estate, Silver Stone Estate, Thorn Field Estate and a number of smaller sectional title complexes are located in the heart of Monavoni. Monavoni also includes agricultural holdings. The suburb is conveniently bordered by main roads such as Voortrekker Road (R55), the N14 (Krugersdorp), Lochner Road and other secondary roads. This makes it easy for commuters travelling by car to Pretoria, Midrand, Kempton Park, Johannesburg, Centurion Gautrain station and OR Tambo International Airport.
Samir Jhina: Sotheby’s International Reality
What are the favourite weekend things to do in the area?
The Forrest Hill City centre offers everything from fashion and lifestyle to entertainment and is also popular for its ice rink, outside wave pool and food court. There are numerous horse riding schools in the area. For the more adventurous there is the Centurion Flight Academy at Eagles Creek Aviation Estate just opposite Copperleaf Golf Estate. Rus en Vrede is the perfect venue for any function like weddings or small conferences. The Monavoni Nursery is a very popular nursery in Centurion offering excellent service and advice.
Ananda Ludick: Seeff Properties Centurion
Can you sum up the demographics of the area?
Monavoni is a well-liked area due to its location close to major highways. Per Lightstone it contains 1,852 properties comprising 572 (30,89%) freeholds in estates; 1,169 (63,12%) sectional titles in estates, 1 (0,05%) freehold and 110 (5,94%) in traditional sectional schemes. The area accommodates about 2,650 adults with an average monthly income between R51,000 and R68,000. Monavoni is popular with the younger set as 56% of young adults (18 – 35 years old) recently bought here, whereas 51% of sellers were between the ages of 36 and 49. It’s a fast-moving area as 62% of existing owners and 77% of recent sellers have lived there less than five years.
Annalien van Rooyen: Adrienne Hersch
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
