Andre von Bulow
Cubisol
Managing Director
The redevelopment of the Soshanguve Mall shopping centre, due for completion towards the end of 2025, is touted as a driver for local empowerment and a transformational opportunity for the community to grow the local skills base, giving the area a renewed vision for economic stability.
With a current metro area population of over 906,000, Soshanguve boasts a vibrant, diverse, growing economy. It is a major contributor to the Tshwane region’s 26.8% contribution to Gauteng Province’s GDP. However, the area is still largely underdeveloped despite its tantalising potential. Economic growth stemming from substantial investment into the area will bring access to a much brighter and economically stable future.
A world-class retail development
One such investment is the development of the Soshanguve Mall, a large-scale project that promises to breathe new life into the area. “We recognised the economic potential of Soshanguve as far back as 2012,” says Andre von Bulow, Managing Director of Cubisol, an investment company focusing on developing and owning shopping centres in South Africa. “Since then, we have been working closely with stakeholders to bring our vision of a world-class retail development, built with an ethos of community inclusion, to life.”
The Soshanguve Mall is being developed in two phases in the space previously housed in the original Soshanguve Plaza shopping centre. Phase 1, which has already been completed, saw the opening of the 7 500m2 Value Centre in 2024, and the second phase, a 55 500 m2 double-tiered retail centre, is due for completion at the last quarter of 2025.
Von Bulow elaborates on the development: “Our vision was to bring fair economic opportunities and mutual growth in the Soshanguve area with a retail space that empowers people, providing a conduit for economic growth and stability as part of a sustainable future. Throughout the development phase, and once the mall is up and running, new jobs are created and new skills learnt, benefitting the entire community. To date, the project has provided close to 2 000 jobs within Soshanguve, and we estimate that up to 3 700 full-time employment positions could be created post-construction. This will have a permanent and life-changing impact on all facets of the community.”
Well-crafted retail centres that understand the local community they operate are thriving. In recognition of this fact and the exceptional opportunity presented by the development of the Soshanguve Mall, Cubisol’s institutional shareholders, the Sentinel Pension Fund, Transport Sector Retirement Fund and Intaba General Partner (‘Intaba’), have proudly provided the equity funding for this development, fully endorsing the social impact that it has on the local community.
A visionary transformation
The Soshanguve Mall development has the tangible potential to change the area’s socio-economic trajectory, create permanent jobs, and motivate further investment. Regarding skills development, 30-40% of the workforce on the project has received training or upskilling to date. Significant components of the construction budget have also been allocated to local suppliers, contractors and service providers.
“When a community is transformed into a thriving micro-economy, there are long-term benefits for all involved. We are proud that this project is on a successful path. The development is going according to plan, and the community’s favourable buy-in has reinforced our inclusive approach. Job creation is now a reality, as is the potential for community members to become active players in their economic development. Our investors and shareholders can feel confident that their capital is being spent in an impactful manner and that their decision to invest in this community will yield strong financial returns. We are positive that the success of this project will inspire future developments and change the culture of doing business in Soshanguve”, says von Bulow.
A development in the heart of the community with the community at heart
The Soshanguve population is vastly multi-ethnic and intricately linked to community dynamics. The name alone speaks to the Sotho, Shangaan, Nguni and Venda tribes (So-Sha-Ngu-Ve) who resettled from Mamelodi and Atteridgeville in 1974. The integration of cultures and the lingering remnants of the past meant that community inclusion was crucial to its success from the outset of the project. Patrick Moraka, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist at Empowerploy, was brought on board to ensure the community – from residents to the taxi association to local vendors – were, and still are, prioritised during the employment and empowerment stages of the project.
“We had to consider the unique dynamics associated with the Soshanguve community”, Moraka explains. “Challenges such as ensuring employment processes are fair and open to all, that local businesses are given empowerment opportunities, that big businesses mentor small businesses and that opportunities are presented in advance through a transparent platform had to be addressed, which we could only do through constant inclusion and communication with our stakeholders.”
The development included the Taxi Association in planning and implementing the transport strategy around the mall. It also incorporated local vendors to ensure that their means of economic growth during the construction phases were bolstered. “By including all community members as active players in the retail value chain, we have entrenched a ‘stepping-stone’ concept where traders have the opportunity to grow, develop and create their micro-economies for sustainable financial security”, adds Moraka.
Maintaining culture and heritage
Situated in a 2 000-hectare heritage site where the Tswaing Meteorite Crater has become a worldwide attraction, Soshanguve is part of a much larger heritage story. Wayne Mansfield, Senior Partner at KMH Architects, explains that honouring the area’s profound heritage was essential in the mall’s conceptual design.
“The crater is not just a geological wonder but a site of immense cultural and historical significance. Our design integrates the natural landscape, ensuring that the crater remains the area’s focal point. We’ve incorporated large, open-air spaces and natural and sustainable materials that blend seamlessly with the surroundings, allowing the crater to remain visually and spiritually present.
The mall’s layout draws inspiration from the crater’s circular form, creating a harmonious flow that mimics the natural curves of the land. Interactive and educational spaces within the mall will tell the story of the meteorite’s impact, the formation of the crater, and the rich cultural history of the Soshanguve community. Our goal is to create a space that serves not just as a commercial hub but as a bridge between the past and present, where visitors can connect with the deep history of the land while enjoying modern amenities. In this way, the mall will stand as a tribute to the heritage of Tswaing, preserving its legacy for future generations.”
A full year ahead of the official opening, Soshanguve Mall has secured some of the country’s most iconic and well-loved tenant brands, including Shoprite, Mr Price, TFG, Cashbuild, SPAR, all major banks, Pepkor Group, KFC, Chicken Licken, OBC Chicken, Famous Brands, Dis-Chem, Clicks, Woolworths, Edgars, Liquor City and many more.
