Centurion, South Africa
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Centurion is a residential and commercial area in Gauteng Province, South Africa, located between Pretoria and Johannesburg on the intersection of the motorway N1 and N14.
Centurion was founded in 1964 as Verwoerdburg, named after Hendrik Verwoerd, the "architect of apartheid". The politically neutral name Centurion has no significance, and was presumably chosen by residents to match the name of the Centurion Park (now called SuperSport Park) cricket ground, located in the area. Following the end of Apartheid, the Indian South Africa of Laudium, which was formerly a part of Pretoria, was made part of Centurion. A black township, called Olievenhoutbosch was created in Centurion at around the same time.
Centurion has grown quickly in the recent years and features now (Dec 2004) a modern shopping mall (Centurion Mall), a waterpark (Splash), decent entertainment spots (Firkin Pub), golf courses and a driving range. The Centurion Golf and Residential Estate offers superior accommodation. The Unitas hospital offers state of the art medical services. It is close to the Highveld Techno Park where technology companies like Siemens Telecommunications, Grintek and others are located.
In 2000, the Centurion local government became part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, which also includes Pretoria.