Gauteng’s shopping centres have transformed dramatically since the mid-20th century. What began as a few suburban malls has grown into an extensive network of retail and lifestyle hubs, reflecting the province’s urbanisation and social change. Research shows that between 2001 and 2016, the number of malls in Gauteng doubled, outpacing population growth. Today, these centres are no longer just about shopping – they are community and lifestyle anchors. To understand how we arrived here, it’s worth tracing the history, impact, and future direction of malls in Gauteng.
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Early Malls: From Hyde Park to Fordsburg
The first wave of malls in Gauteng emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, serving mainly affluent suburbs. Hyde Park Corner, which opened in 1969, set a new benchmark as South Africa’s first fully enclosed suburban shopping centre.
In sharp contrast, Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg was born of displacement. Between 1968 and 1974, the apartheid government forced Indian retailers out of 14th Street in Johannesburg, relocating them into the Plaza. Unlike typical malls, each of its 360 stores remained independently owned, enabling retailers to keep prices lower than those in conventional centres. This difference marked the start of two distinct mall identities in Gauteng: exclusive suburban complexes and township-rooted markets.
The Suburban Boom and Mega-Malls
By the 1970s and 1980s, massive shopping complexes began dominating Gauteng’s landscape. Sandton City, opened in 1973, epitomised this trend. Built on what was once farmland, it quickly grew into one of Africa’s most prestigious shopping destinations, eventually earning Sandton the title of “Africa’s richest square mile.”
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Originally 50,000 m², Sandton City has been expanded repeatedly – a R1.77 billion project in 2011 alone boosted it to nearly 147,000 m² of retail, leisure, and dining. Other centres like Cresta, Eastgate, and Rosebank followed suit during the 1980s and 1990s, catering to the migration of wealthier residents to northern suburbs.
These malls established a template: air-conditioned corridors, anchor department stores, cinemas, and food courts. They drew heavy investment and prestige, symbolising Gauteng’s retail boom. By 2016, the province had shifted from one mall per 40,000 residents in 2001 to roughly one per 32,000, underlining the explosive growth of the retail sector.
Spatial Inequality and Social Impact
The boom, however, has not been evenly distributed. Research by the Gauteng City-Region Observatory reveals that most malls cluster in wealthier, low-density suburbs, while townships like Soshanguve, Mamelodi, and Soweto saw far fewer developments.
This uneven spread has consequences. Optimists argue that malls create jobs and provide consumers with more choice. Critics counter that they undermine small, independent, and informal traders, further entrenching apartheid-era spatial divides. For many township residents, the absence of malls nearby means continued reliance on small centres or open-air markets, limiting access to the economic and social benefits of large-scale retail.
Expansion Into Under-Served Areas
Developers and government have recently tried to change this trajectory. The opening of Maponya Mall in Soweto in 2007 marked a turning point. At 65,000 m², it quickly became the “heartbeat” of Soweto’s retail economy.
In 2009, Pan Africa Mall in Alexandra introduced another innovation: South Africa’s first fully integrated shopping and transport hub, combining a 50,000 m² retail complex with a major taxi facility. A 2024 expansion added new stores and sustainable features such as an 851 kWp solar power system, reducing electricity costs and bolstering resilience against blackouts. Investors say the project goes beyond expanding a mall – it empowers local businesses and drives urban renewal.
New projects continue this trend. Lenz Quarter, planned for Lenasia in 2025, highlights the growing recognition that township economies represent billions of rands in spending power. Analysts argue that investing in township malls offers not just retail opportunities but also meaningful economic growth and social development.
Modern Trends: From Shopping to Lifestyle
Malls today are evolving beyond retail. Developers increasingly design them as lifestyle destinations, complete with cinemas, restaurants, art exhibitions, and play zones. These additions transform shopping centres into community hubs where people spend time, not just money.
The rise of e-commerce has not killed malls – it has reshaped them. Many centres now operate as hybrid spaces where customers browse or purchase online but collect goods in-store. Innovations such as augmented reality displays and smart parking apps are being tested to improve convenience.
Sustainability has also moved to the forefront. Solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and waste recycling are becoming standard. Gauteng malls are following global examples by adding electric vehicle charging points and improving water-use efficiency. These shifts make malls not only more eco-friendly but also more resilient in the face of Eskom’s ongoing power supply challenges.
Economic and Employment Impact
Malls remain major job creators. Analysts estimate that the retail centre industry accounts for around 21% of South Africa’s formal sector jobs. When Mall of Africa opened in 2016, it alone created 4,500 permanent positions, from retail staff to security guards and cleaners. Indirectly, malls also sustain taxi drivers, maintenance contractors, and local suppliers.
Yet the picture is complex. Studies show that nearly half of small or informal businesses in areas surrounding new malls see declining sales within six months of their launch. While malls generate jobs inside their walls, they can simultaneously undermine local economies built around spaza shops and street markets.
Looking Ahead: Building Inclusive Malls
Gauteng’s mall evolution is far from over. Plans are already underway for mega-projects such as a proposed “largest mall in South Africa” in Johannesburg’s Langlaagte, due in 2025, aimed at reviving the inner-city economy. Other proposals seek to redevelop sites like Carlton Centre or combine malls with mixed-use housing and office spaces.
The real challenge is ensuring inclusivity. Residents can push for malls that serve local needs by demanding community facilities, affordable retail space, and job training initiatives. Shoppers can also support township markets and independent traders alongside malls, balancing formal and informal economies.
Retail experts argue that township engagement offers new avenues for growth, while sustainability measures ensure long-term viability. By championing inclusive planning, Gauteng can create malls that serve as engines of economic development and social cohesion rather than symbols of inequality.
Shaping the Future of Gauteng’s Malls
Malls are not just bricks and mortar – they are part of Gauteng’s social and economic fabric. Residents have the power to influence how they evolve. Next time you visit a mall, think of it not just as a shopping trip but as an opportunity to shape your community’s future.
Support developments that bring jobs closer to home. Advocate for greener, more inclusive spaces. Share ideas with city councils and mall owners about what your neighbourhood truly needs – whether it’s community halls, training facilities, or subsidised space for local traders.
If Gauteng residents push for solutions, malls can continue to grow as vibrant spaces that do more than sell goods. They can knit our diverse province closer together, creating jobs, encouraging innovation, and providing safe, welcoming spaces for all.
