Rietondale Area Profile

Rietondale at a glance

Rietondale, located in the greater Moot area comes with much history and sentiment.  Not only was it a large farmland (which was bought by the government and established as a suburb in 1924) but it also once hosted a vlei, towards its western boundary, with a beautiful stream and white sands along its banks.  From this developed the neighbouring suburb to the west known as Riviera (named after the French Riviera by the original owner of Rietondale, whose family until recently resided in the area and lived in the original stone house 'Kia Ora' on 186 Van Der Merwe Street).  This trend of long term or old-time residents remaining appears to carry much momentum and contributes to the strong sense of community and the contemporary urban village' setting displayed by Rietondale.

For a sense of location, Rietondale, a relatively small suburb, lies along the Soutpansberg Road.  So, although busy during peak times it has the benefit of being central to most areas of Pretoria with easy access to major throughfares.  Neighbours include Queenswood, Colbyn, Riviera, Rietfontein and Villieria.

Back to the idea of "old-time" Rietondale and its farming heritage - over the years residents have managed to maintain the classic farm-style characteristics amongst the houses which has become a known style of the suburb.  This still holds true, even though there have been modern interventions and renovations - but somehow, by hook or by crook, Rietondale still offers the distinct village feel together with a safe estate and environmental feel.  It is fair to say that the involvement of the Rietondale Homeowners' and Residents' Association has contributed much towards the area's good-standing.

Property selection includes large older-styled houses on large properties - these full title houses occupy stand sizes of around 1 100m².  There are options for duets, complexes, townhouses and estates in the surrounding area. Large upmarket homes are typically found along Buffels Street and Soutpansberg Road.

With its close proximity to a few prominent government institutions, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the Union Buildings (the seat of the South African government) and the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, it goes without saying that there is an underlining convenience for government employees to live close to their workplace, making Rietondale a favourite choice.

CLIMATE:

Lying at the foothills on the southern side of the Magaliesberg Mountain range, Rietondale is particularly well-sheltered against the elements, over and above the fact that it also enjoys a touch of the sub-tropical climate that is particularly prevalent just on the other side of the ridge.  During the summer months the homes, gardens and streets are well shaded, under the large old trees, from the hot summer sun. 

Days warm up from early in the morning and can easily reach 30 degrees Celsius and up.  Rain takes place during summer and fortunately Pretoria is often blessed with mid to late afternoon showers, breaking the heat and leading to warm but comfortable evenings. 

Winters can be quite cold during the early morning hours but generally warm up to be pleasantly comfortable for most of the day.  On the odd occasion, when temperatures become unusually low, there may be frost. 

DISTANCE FROM RIETONDALE TO THE PRETORIA CBD:

• Via the M2: 17 min / 8.5 kms
• Via the M22:  17 min / 8.3 kms
• Distances are approximate and drive times indicated during normal traffic

MAJOR ACCESS ROUTES:
 

To the east Tom Jenkings separates Rietondale from the Rietondale Farm (The Government Experimental Farm) and is also a major access road that winds towards the city of Pretoria.  To the south lies Soutpansberg Road leading toward the N1 Highway in an easterly direction or all the way through to Paul Kruger in a westerly direction with leads to the dead centre of Pretoria.  There are also a number of smaller access roads to the west from which one can easily get to Frates Road which eventually joins up with Soutpansberg Road.  The Hatfield Gautrain station is a short distance from Rietondale.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE AREA:

• Acro Branch Pretoria North
• Big Fig Tree at Wonderboom Nature Reserve
• Bonacord Dam
• Colbyn Golf Park
• Cow Market
• Cullinan Diamond Mine
• Dinokeng Game Reserve
• Faerie Glen Nature Reserve
• Friends of the Rail
• Groenkloof Nature Reserve
• Onderstepoort Private Nature Reserve
• Pierneef Theatre
• Pretoria Farmers Market
• Pretoria National Botanical Gardens
• Rietondale Park
• Roodeplaat Dam
• Rosemary Hill & Acrobranch
• Sammy Marks House
• The Union Buildings
• Tswaing Crater Meteorite & Museum
• Wonderboom Nature Reserve
• Wonderboom Airport

CHURCHES:

• Every Nation Tshwane Church
• Rietfontein Afrikaanse Baptiste Gemeente
• Chapel of God's Grace (Rietfontein)
• Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk (Rietfontein)
• Gemeente van Christus Church of Christ Rietfontein
• Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk (Rietfontein)

COMMUNITY SERVICES:

• SAPS Pretoria Moot (Rietfontein)
• Villieria Police Station

FRAIL CARE & RETIREMENT FACILITIES:

• AGS Tehuis (Rietfontein)
• Doringbome Aftree Oord, retirement & frail care (Rietfontein)
• Jacaranda Retirement Village (Rietfontein)
• Ons Tuis (Riviera)

HOSPITALS & MEDICAL FACILITIES:

• Life Eugene Marais Hospital (Les Marais)
• Netcare Moot General Hospital (Rietfontein)
• Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Capital Park)

NURSERY & PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS:

• Little Einsteins Kleuterskool
• Riviera Rietondale Nursery School
• Rietondale Day Care
• Incredible Minds Nursery School (Rietfontein)

PRIMARY SCHOOLS:

• Rietondale Primary School
• Rietfontein-Noord Primary (Rietfontein)
• Gereformeerde Laerskool Johannes Calvyn (Rietfontein)

HIGH SCHOOLS:

• Rietondale High School
• Clapham High School (Queenswood)
• Herron Bridge High School (Villieria)
• Hoërskool Oos-Moot (Waverley)
• Hoër Tegniese Skool John Vorster (Villieria)
• Magalies School (Rietfontein)
• Moot Christian Academy (Villieria)

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS:

• Magalies Special School (Rietfontein)

RESTAURANTS:

• La Cantina
• Maison de Leo
• Gideon's Gourmet Meals
• Goya's
• Die Sinkhuis Restaurant (Rietfontein)
• La Pentola (Riviera)
• Toni's Fully Furnished Pizza Co (Rietfontein)

SHOPPING MALLS:

• Frederika Sentrum (Rietfontein)
• Jakaranda Centre (Rietfontein)
• Rietfontein Pavillion Plaza (Rietfontein)
• Gezina Galleries (Gezina)
• Queens Corner (Queenswood)
• Queenswood Quarter (Queenswood)

VETERINARY CLINICS:

• Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic
• Berg Veterinary Clinic Jakaranda Animal Hospital (Villieria)
• Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital (Onderstepoort)
• Jakaranda Animal Hospital (Villieria)
• Mayville Animal & Birds Clinic
• Mayville Dierekliniek
• My Pets Vet (Wonderboom South)