New Jumbo shopping mall opening soon in South Africa
The new 37,000 sqm Jumbo Mall is coming to eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, in March 2026, bringing modern retail to the historically underserved area.
The shopping mall is being developed by New Africa Developments (NAD) in partnership with Investec, which is providing the development finance.
The new mall will be located just 500 metres from the CBD, allowing it to attract a broad customer base, with its retail offering curated to provide a “relevant and engaging experience,” with over 100 stores at launch.
Anchor tenants at the mall will be Boxer, Shoprite, Dis-Chem and Clicks. Other popular retailers include Mr Price, Foschini, Jet, Ackermans, and PEP.
The food court will house KFC, Hungry Lion, Roman’s Pizza, Chicken Licken, Debonairs, Real Fish & Chips, Roots Grillhouse and other popular eateries.
The food cost will also feature live entertainment broadcasts, free uncapped Wifi and will-lit spaces that will be operational even during load shedding.
FNB, Capitec and Old Mutual will also provide banking and financial services, while Telkom and Pep Cell will represent the telcos sector.
Located on the R544, just off the N4 highway, the development occupies a 120,000 sqm site that once served as a buffer between eMalahleni’s residential and industrial zones.
The mall will have direct access from major routes, such as the R544, Elizabeth Avenue and Main Street, with motorised and pedestrian entrances.
There will be over 1,500 free, on-grade and secure parking bays, while dedicated taxi facilities further strengthen the region’s accessibility.
The mall will also feature advanced green technologies and sustainability principles, including a large solar PV installation, supported by backup generators and potential battery storage, which will result in less grid reliance.
Further environmental initiatives include LED lighting, energy-efficient air-con, and Propelair toilets that reduce water usage by close to 70%.
A management system (BMS) will also monitor the mall’s energy performance in real time, ensuring it can operate at peak efficiency.
In a city with travel congestion and infrastructure challenges, NAD said the new mall will offer a modern, convenient alternative that combines retail, leisure and community.
“Jumbo Mall has been designed to serve the community in the fullest sense, as both a retail and social destination,” said Charl Scott, Property Executive at NAD.
“We wanted to create a place where people can shop, connect and feel a real sense of pride in their city’s growth.”
Boosting the local area
The mall is also set to serve as a powerful catalyst for economic development, with over 2,500 job opportunities generated during the construction phase of the mall, many of whom are from the nearby area.
Once operational, Jumbo Mall will support around 800 permanent jobs across retail, security, maintenance, cleaning, logistics, and management positions.
Many local subcontractors and suppliers have also contributed to the build thus far, ensuring that the majority of the project’s economic benefit remains within the region.
“Developments like Jumbo Mall extend far beyond bricks and mortar, they strengthen local economies, create opportunity and foster community pride,” said Robin Houghton, Managing Director at NAD.
NAD added that the mall will blend contemporary elegance and the local character of the surrounding eMalahleni area.
An E-shaped layout will promote movement through four entrances defined by elevated rooflines and layered façades.
A key feature will be the 140 sqm LED screen on the main facade, which is one of the largest in the country. The screen will complement a high-definition internal entertainment zone within the food court.
Images and renderings
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