New multi-million rand ‘Princess’ shopping mall opens in South Africa

·11 Nov 2024

The Princess Mkabayi Mall has officially opened for trading in Vryheid, in the KwaZulu-Natal hinterland.

The 30,000 sqm development will is owned by the Moolman Group, Twin City, JB Holdings, and Green Giraffe, and finished construction at the end of October.

The late Zulu King, Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, authorised and blessed the shopping centre, which is named in honour of Princess Mkabayi kaJama, a powerful figure in Zulu history.

Moolman Group’s Steph Beyers said that the mall will become a vibrant community hub that celebrates the rich heritage of KwaZulu-Natal.

“This mall is the result of years of careful planning and collaboration, and we’re incredibly proud to have brought this vision to life for its community.”

A single-level shopping centre, Princess Mkabayi Mall boasts 30,740 sqm of retail space, anchored by Shoprite, Checkers, Dis-Chem, Jaywelani, Woolworths—with a food offering—and Clicks.

In addition, it offers Cape Union Mart, Pick n Pay Clothing, the apparel and home offerings of Pep and Jet, Old Khaki, Mugg & Bean, Crazy Plastics, and Crazy Pets, to name a few.

It also offers free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and workstations and includes a large entertainment space and play area for children, a central meeting area, and eateries.

The mall will be solar-powered and equipped with a generator to minimise the effects of any power disruptions. An on-site water plant will also be used for the irrigation system of its gardens

The multi-million rand development extended beyond the capital injection for the project itself but also added around R50 million to the local economy during its construction, the group said.

Several initiatives were put in place to ensure locals are prioritised for employment at the mall’s various retailers and for the mall’s ongoing operations.

Another of the many ways the community has been included in the mall is through art, with locals competing online to have their art displayed in the centre.

The designs of the successful submissions have been incorporated, together with locally inspired words, colours, and patterns, seamlessly blending these elements into the overall aesthetic.

There’s also a unique shop, the Ithemba Emporium, where local entrepreneurs can showcase their products.

Images of the mall can be found below:

Completed and launched