Malekane Mall officially opened its doors on 24 September 2026, marking a major milestone for the greater Tubatse area and introducing a new retail destination designed to serve the everyday needs of the surrounding communities.
The official ribbon-cutting was led by Chief Malekane, marking the culmination of a development journey built on close engagement with the local community and traditional leadership.
The opening was met with an enthusiastic response from the community, with shoppers arriving to experience the new mall and take part in a day of celebration and entertainment. Local schools also formed part of the opening programme, showcasing their talent and reinforcing the strong community partnerships that have been established throughout the development of the mall.
Spanning approximately 19 000m² and home to over 60 retailers, Malekane Mall brings a strong mix of grocery, fashion, services, food and everyday essentials closer to the communities it serves.
The mall is anchored by Shoprite, Boxer, Roots and Cashbuild, complemented by leading national retailers including Clicks, Jet, PEP, Ackermans, Truworths, Mr Price, Sportscene, Studio 88 and KFC, among others.
An investment beyond retail
While the opening represents an important addition to the region’s retail offering, Malekane Mall has been developed with a broader commitment to supporting local economic and community development.
More than R13 million has been invested in surrounding roads, public infrastructure and bulk services, contributing to improved accessibility and infrastructure within the area. The recently completed adjacent bridge has further improved accessibility and road safety for surrounding communities.
The development has created approximately 700 permanent jobs, providing meaningful, long-term employment opportunities for local residents.
During construction, almost R20 million was spent on local labour and materials, ensuring that a meaningful portion of the development investment remained within the local economy.
The project has also supported renovations at local crèches and established partnerships with surrounding schools, further extending its investment into the surrounding community.
Nearly two decades in the making
Nearly two decades in the making, Malekane Mall represents a long-term development journey shaped by collaboration between the developers, traditional leadership and the local community.
The development was led by Twin City in partnership with GMI Property Group, with a shared commitment to creating sustainable, accessible and community-focused shopping environments.
Built on aligned development philosophies and a long-term investment approach, the collaboration has focused on creating a mall that delivers value beyond its physical retail offering, supporting local economic participation, improving access to quality retail and providing a safe and welcoming environment for the communities it serves.
Ryno de Leeuw, CEO of Twin City, says the vision for the mall has always extended beyond retail.
“Malekane Mall has been designed as more than a place to shop. The mall provides a vibrant community meeting place where visitors can shop, dine and spend time together, with a food court, amphitheatre, play area and big-screen TV creating spaces for families to connect, enjoy live screenings and be entertained.
“The response to our opening has been incredible, and it has been very special to welcome the community into their new mall. We look forward to growing alongside them and making Malekane Mall a place that people are proud to call their own.”
The successful opening on 24 September marked the beginning of this next chapter, with the mall now positioned to grow alongside the community and establish itself as an important social, economic and commercial hub for Steelpoort and the surrounding areas.
Malekane Mall is now open.