4 new shopping malls opening in South Africa

 ·25 Jan 2025

South Africa continued to see an influx of new malls as retailers saw a huge boost in sales.

Despite South Africa having a depressed consumer environment over the last few years, signs are pointing in the right direction.

Inflation hit 3.0% in December, which is at the bottom end of the South African Reserve Bank’s target range.

This means that a further interest rate cut is expected in January 2025, following two cuts in September and November 2024.

The reducing price pressure and lower borrowing costs are set to increase expenditure.

Moreover, the two-pot system has seen billions flow out of retirement funds.

Large parts of these funds are going into immediate consumption.

There are already signs that customers are spending more than they had previously.

For instance, retail trade sales increased by 7.7% year-on-year in November 2024.

Stats SA said that the largest positive contributors to the increase were:

  • General dealers (11.9% and contributing 5.2 percentage points);
  • Retailers in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods (9.5% and contributing 1.7 percentage points); and
  • Retailers in household furniture, appliances and equipment (9.4% and contributing 0.5 of a percentage point).

The improved consumer outlook should be a boost for the new shopping centres coming to South Africa in the next few years.

Four malls are set to open in South Africa in the coming months:

  • Riverstone Mall in Meyerton, Gauteng,
  • Westown Square in Durban, KZN
  • Lion Pride in Fourways, Gauteng
  • Groot Phesantekraal View in Durbanville, Western Cape

A breakdown of the malls can be found below:


Riverstone Mall

Riverstone Mall in Meyerton is set to open in March 2025.

In October 2025, developer Alley Roads said 20,000 sqm of first-phase development is nearly completed.

The R370 million is set to be the first formal retail offering in Meyerton.

The mall will have a hybrid energy system, which includes solar panels and battery backups. This ensures uninterrupted power.

Data from the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) showed that over 50% of total operating costs relate to property taxes and electricity costs.

The backup power system will thus not only reduce emissions but also result in cost savings.


Westown Square

Westown Square will open on 27 March 2025 and marks the first phase of the Westown mixed-use development.

The new “city of the west” is situated on the N3 between Pietermaritzburg and Durban and hopes to emulate Midrand in Gauteng.

The overall development of Westown is estimated to generate R15 billion in investment over the next 10 to 15 years.

The 50,000 Westown Square Mall aims to seamlessly integrate retail, dining, and eventing areas.

The centre will also have the BARN, which will offer a high-street market experience that offers artisanal homeware, art, beauty, and fashion outlets. 


Lion Pride Shopping Centre

Situated on the corner of the R114 and Oslo Road, Lion Pride Shopping Centre will open in June 2025.

The 7,500 sqm centre will be close to Malibongwe Drive and the bustling N14 highway.

The shopping centre tenants are set to include the following:

  • Checkers
  • Checkers LiquorShop
  • PEP
  • PEP Home
  • Clicks
  • Pick n Pay Clothing
  • Milady’s
  • Steers

Groot Phesantekraal View

Opening in July 2025, the Groot Phesantekraal View Shopping Centre in Durbanville, Cape Town is set to offer a range of retail services to the expanding Durbanville area.

This large, approximately 30,000-square-meter complex will be located at the intersection of Okavango Road and Klipheuwel Road.

Local property demand is expected to increase following the opening of the mall, which will bring greater convenience and attract more visitors to the region.

Property developer Abland said that the centre is set to see a significant investment of nearly R1 billion.

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