New R500 million shopping mall opens in South Africa

A new shopping mall in the transit town of Zeerust, North West, has opened its doors in hopes of accommodating the increasing demand for the retail sector in one of the primary routes between South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.

According to property broker Ash Muller, the development is valued at R500 million.

Close to the Zeerust CBD, the 18,000 square metre Autumn Leaf Mall was officially opened in late October 2023 by property development, management and investment company Akani Properties – creating around 500 construction jobs in the process.

“With limited retail offerings in the Zeerust CBD and neighbouring towns… this new development offers much-needed supply to the excess retail demand in Zeerust and the surrounding areas,” said retail property specialists Ancora.

Some of the tenants include some of South Africa’s most recognised brands:

• Woolworths
• Checkers
• Ackermans
• Truworths
• Mr Price
• Clicks
• Pep

Previously, consumers in the area had to travel to Rustenburg or Mafikeng to access these brands. This mall is part of a larger mixed-use development which boasts a taxi rank, filling station and plans on creating a hotel and private hospital, boasting support from the Municipal Employees Fund.

The development further adds to the booming retail sector in peri-urban towns.

Akani Properties chairman, Zamani Letjane said in an interview with the Sunday World that “Zeerust [presents] growth opportunities and will stem the tide of migration to big cities and contribute to job creation and economic growth in this largely rural province of North West.”

This mall is yet another commercial property for Akani Properties, whose portfolio includes owning the Nicolway Bryanston, Secunda Shopping Centre, Radisson Hotel and Destiny Exclusive Hotel in Kempton Park.

Read: More major shopping malls up for sale in South Africa – worth hundreds of millions