16 February 2007

Maponya Mall continues to create opportunity

The 65 000m² deluxe Sowetan shopping mecca, Maponya Mall, scheduled to open in September of this year, has secured strong commitment from local business people, as well further dedication from top retailers who continue to show support by rolling out flagship stores, and providing retail 'firsts' for Soweto.

"There has also been strong commitment from local business people who have to date secured stores within the centre focusing on food, health and beauty, fashion, services, accessories and so forth," says Searl Kibel, retail divisional director for Zenprop Property holdings, who are joint project and development partners with the Maponya Group. Kibel reports that local professionals such as optometrists and medical practitioners have also submitted offers.

Since inception, the Malls design was such that it guaranteed retail space not only for well known retailers but for local Sowetan businesses as well. In this way, Maponya Mall will help stem the flow of the estimated R4.3 billion per annum in potential consumer spend that is currently being spent outside of Soweto and boost the local economy.

Catering to people across the economic spectrum, the mall is the culmination of a 28-year dream for Soweto businessman, Richard Maponya. Maponya believes that the new centre will not only provide convenience for shoppers who previously travelled to surrounding areas and the Johannesburg CBD for goods and services, but will also provide much needed jobs, particularly for the youth.

In recent developments, Maponya Mall was selected as the home for a life-sized statue, of the infamous Hector Pieterson photograph captured on June 16, 1976 by Sam Nzima. The Thanda Foundation (the social conscience of the Thanda Group of luxury hotel residences) and former MP Mathews Phosa commissioned this historic work as a gift from the people of Sweden and South Africa to the people of Soweto. The 300kg was created by Kobus Hattingh and Jacob Maponyane, and will be unveiled on the 17th of February at the mall site.

Another 'first' for the mall and for the people of Soweto is the tenancy of the Toys R Us Group. The group have committed to a sizable store of 800m² within the centre, which comes on the back of the eight-screen Ster Kinekor complex that secured its tenancy before construction began - another 'first' for the region.

Well-known international shoe retail chain, Geox, has announced that it will be opening its first store in South Africa at the Maponya Mall - and secured the space to do so.

Maponya Mall has also secured leases from the four major banks: Nedbank, Standard, ABSA, and FNB who have each committed to banking facilities in excess of 450m².

"And for the "culture vultures" we are delighted to have an Exclusive Books outlet," says Kibel. CNA, Jet Music, and Look 'n Listen will join exclusive Books as shopping destinations for those with a passion for music and literature.

Fast-food giant, McDonald's will be opening a flagship restaurant offering in the mall, in-line with the groups new look restaurant store concept being rolled out internationally. Other well-known food offerings secured include News Café, Primi Piatti, Steers, Debonairs, Wimpy, Ocean Basket, KFC, and Mugg & Bean.

Also signed-up prior to construction is Pick 'n Pay with 12 000m² of space - which makes its Maponya store one of the largest in the country, and one of the first to launch the latest edition Hypermarket concept.

As a show of real confidence for the future trade at Maponya both Woolworths and the Edcon Group have taken up the options of their future expansion space upfront and before the centre even opens, each having already secured 3 500m² and 4 500m² respectively.

Mr. Price Home has also secured tenancy in the centre with a 1 000m² space. This will complement the companies existing clothing component, and will stand amongst the the offerings of @Home, Truworths, Identity, Markham, Foschini, Miladys, Donna Claire, Exact, Sheet Street, Ackermans, Jet, Legit, and Pep. Also on-board are exclusive fashion brands such as Fabiani, Guess, Nine West, San Marino, A & D Spitz, Nike and Puma.