{"id":816211,"date":"2025-03-11T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=816211"},"modified":"2026-02-05T18:09:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T16:09:03","slug":"new-r350-million-shopping-mall-breaks-ground-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/property\/816211\/new-r350-million-shopping-mall-breaks-ground-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"New R350 million shopping mall breaks ground in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Construction of the Gcuwa Mall in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, has broken ground, with the new shopping centre joining the growing trend of rural retail developments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shenge Property Group and Luwie Properties partook in the sod-turning ceremony for the highly anticipated Gcuwa Mall development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mall will be located along the N2 in the Amathole District and is set to be a central economic hub catering to the greater Mnquma Municipality and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development is valued at R352 million and will encompass a gross lettable area of 17,000 sqm. It plans to have a modern retail centre, a drive-thru, a new taxi rank and essential road infrastructure upgrades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Shenge Property said that this represents only the first phase of development, which will expand to 25,000 sqm in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cGcuwa Mall is not just a retail centre; it is a catalyst for growth, designed to unlock economic opportunities and uplift local businesses,&#8221; said Seabelo Theledi, Group CEO of Shenge Property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Our collaboration with Luwie Properties underscores our commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that the benefits extend to the broader Mnquma community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe believe in developing infrastructure that serves the people and improves their daily lives,&#8221; added Zolisa Magocoba, Director of Luwie Properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;The Gcuwa Mall will not only offer a state-of-the-art shopping experience but will also provide job opportunities and vital services to the surrounding communities.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;This development is a step forward in addressing the socio-economic challenges in the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mall&#8217;s construction is expected to create roughly 1,500 jobs, with 80% of these arising during the initial construction phase. Recruiting workers from the local community will also be prioritised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The completed mall is also expected to generate long-term employment opportunities within the retail, property management, and maintenance sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development also hopes to improve the following critical infrastructure in the Mnquma Municipality: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Upgrading bulk services, including water, sewer, and electricity, to enhance the area\u2019s capacity for future growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Construction of a new taxi rank, providing formalised facilities for commuters and taxi operators. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relocation of the existing church to a modernised facility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Road network improvements for residents and businesses, including enhancements to the main intersection and a newly built road parallel to the N2 highway.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Shenge Property added that the mall will also improve access to essential services and lifestyle offerings for residents in Mnquma Municipality and surrounding towns such as Idutywa, Kentani, and Cofimvaba. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development also hopes to address several key socio-economic challenges through the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improved access to retail, financial, and lifestyle services, reducing travel costs for residents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A structured and safe environment for informal traders to operate within the new taxi rank.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enhanced economic activity, attracting regional and national retailers to the area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_02.png 1176w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_01-e1741687229131.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_01-1024x574.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816212\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/gcuwa_mall_04.png 1181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652-1024x577.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-816217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652-1024x577.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/sod-turning-ceremon-e1741687928652.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Part of a new trend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Shenge Property Group and Luwie Properties said the investment aligns with their aim of fostering economic resilience and sustainable urban development in South Africa\u2019s rural towns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The new mall will also be part of a new retail development trend in South Africa, where more malls are being built in rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa&#8217;s urban areas, particularly those in Gauteng, are often noted for their oversupply of retail shopping centres, given the strain facing consumers and the high unemployment rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With this in mind, many developers are turning to retail developments in underserved rural communities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several new developments have recently launched in South Africa, with developers targeting Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes the 9,200 sqm <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/property\/787384\/new-shopping-mall-opening-in-south-africa-next-month\/\">Madombidzha Mall<\/a> in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, which opened in September 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCormick Property Development previously told BusinessTech that there are few formal retail options in the area and that Madombidzha Mall would allow for easy access to services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCormick was also involved in the <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/property\/801984\/new-shopping-mall-opens-in-south-africa-joins-the-latest-shopping-trend\/\">Mehlareng Mall<\/a> in Limpopo, which opened in November 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mall serves the communities of Mehlareng, Mahlako and the surrounding Zebediela areas and is home to a selection of affordable fashion retailers, including Mr Price and Pepkor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/business\/799212\/new-multi-million-rand-princess-shopping-mall-opens-in-south-africa\/\">Princess Mkabayi Mall<\/a> in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, also opened for trading in November, with the development owned by the Moolman Group, Twin City, JB Holdings, and Green Giraffe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 30,000 sqm shopping centre, named after a powerful figure in Zulu history, is home to Shoprite, Checkers, Woolworths, Clicks, and more.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Construction of the Gcuwa Mall in the Eastern Cape has started, with the new mall valued at over R350 million. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":816212,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12755],"tags":[21967,21966,21965],"class_list":["post-816211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","tag-gcuwa-mall","tag-luwie-properties","tag-shenge-property-group"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=816211"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":850039,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/816211\/revisions\/850039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/816212"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=816211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=816211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=816211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}