Centurion, with its refreshing climate, is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the country and this growth rate will in all probability be maintained. The city developed from a "sleeping town" for Pretoria and Johannesburg to a sought after residential area with excellent infrastructure, growing industrial areas and human-friendly city centre around a man-made lake. The area combines the amenities of a city with a country atmosphere.

It is centrally situated in Gauteng, the industrial, business and administrative heartland of South Africa. Two freeways, the Ben Schoeman Highway and the Danie Joubert Highway, as well as the freeway between Pretoria, Kempton Park and the Johannesburg International Airport facilitate links with other centres around Centurion. Alternative links with Pretoria, Johannesburg and the East and West Rand are also available.

Centurion's metamorphosis started with the development of a city centre around a man-made lake. The first phase (Centurion Boulevard) was opened in 1985. It consists of shops, commercial, office, recreational and housing developments.

The total shopping area covered 103 square metres, of which 62 500 square metres consisted of retail space. It has since been expanded substantively. The musical fountain in the lake is unique in the area and attracts visitors and residents who want to relax during or after shopping excursions or visits to cinemas and restaurants in the centre. The amphitheatre is used regularly for music concerts and other festivals.

Centurion houses several other technical parks and industrial townships for light industries, as well as office development and office parks. Momentum's head office was completed recently and Samrand is one of the outstanding developments visible from the Ben Schoeman Highway.