After its official opening on Thursday morning, the Mall of Africa, in Waterfall City, Midrand, had played host to about 70 000 people by 17:00, a figure likely to double before closing, according to property developer Attacq CEO Morne Wilken.

He told Engineering News Online that the mall had attracted more people than expected, adding that they had started queuing outside the property from 02:00  to take advantage of opening-day specials.

The large number of shoppers had caused heavy traffic congestion and delays on the N1 freeway and most roads leading to Midrand.

“The traffic congestion is an interim problem and many cars are parking next to the road, making access more difficult. We expect traffic flow to ease up once people begin to understand the logistics of the mall,” said Wilken, adding that the R511 from Woodmead to Tshwane had been expanded to accommodate the anticipated movement in and around the mall.

He noted that, with any big project, there were obstacles, and a few stores were not able to open by Thursday’s launch, owing to stock and shipment challenges.

Atterbury MD James Ehlers added that access to Waterfall City was designed to be convenient from all surrounding areas and that the city and mall were located next to the N1 highway on the first free-flow intersection of its size in Africa, at the Allandale road exit.

“Waterfall City and Mall of Africa are on a Gautrain bus route from the nearby Midrand Gautrain station, with provision for public taxi access. Dedicated Uber pickup and drop-off points at the mall are a first in the South African retail environment,” he said.

Wilken further noted that the new R160-million Bridal Veil road overpass bridge, developed by Atterbury, was opened at the same time as the mall and created a new east–west transport route.

He explained that the new bridge crossed the N1 highway south of the Allandale road interchange and north of the Buccleuch interchange.

“It creates a direct link between Midrand and Waterfall City with the new R40- million, 1 km S-bend dual carriageway extension to Bridal Veil road, which will take shoppers right to the doors of Mall of Africa. It will carry four lanes of traffic – two in each direction – as well as feature a pedestrian walkway, a cycle lane and a raised centre median,” he said.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura officially opened the 131 038 m2 mall.

Developed by property developers Attacq and Atterbury, Mall of Africa was the largest in South Africa, and with more than 300 outlets, was valued at R4.9-billion upon opening for trade.

Makhura stated that the mall was part of Gauteng’s major spatial landscape transformation.

“There are major developments going on throughout the province and the development of the mall is part of the movement to transform the spatial landscape of our province,” he said.

Makhura added that Waterfall City was an important intervention in changing the face of Midrand, adding that Mall of Africa was the main anchor of the new Midrand central business district (CBD).

“By 2018, there will be 12 000 people working in Midrand’s CBD and, by the time the development of Waterfall City is complete, 60 000 people will be employed here,” he noted.

Wilken added that the opening of the mall was a significant strategic milestone for retail in South Africa.

“Mall of Africa will bring significant value to the offering of the Gauteng province as the Southern African subcontinent’s commercial powerhouse,” he said.

He pointed out that conservative estimates were that around 15-million people a year would visit the mall.

The project supported local economic development and stimulated job opportunities. During the development phases, up to 14 000 contractors from diverse disciplines were working on site.

“It is estimated that around 4 500 people will be employed by Mall of Africa,” said Ehlers, adding that while Mall of Africa comprised some 131 038 m² of gross lettable area, its construction area covered 550 000 m² – or 78 rugby fields.

Further, the mall implemented multiple green technologies, including the largest photovoltaic installation in South Africa, providing 8 MVA of sustainable power for the centre.

The mall would also use grey-water harvesting in all public toilets and for the irrigation of the entire development.

“With the opening of the Mall of Africa, Attacq confirms its pursuit of sound capital growth, delivering its strategic business model for long-term returns for all Attacq’s stakeholders,” said Wilken.

GROWTH POTENTIAL
Wilken added that Attacq would continue to develop, invest and grow as a sound listed capital growth fund with a strong investment and development pipeline beyond this milestone.

“We will continue to pursue good business opportunities in South Africa, developing markets as well as established markets,” he said.

He highlighted that Attacq wanted to develop a new central business district in Midrand, with the Mall of Africa at the heart of the development.

“Property developers Zendai and Balwin will contribute significantly to the development of lower- to medium-income housing development in the area,” he said, adding that there was an extra 25 000 m² that could be used for the second phase development of the mall, should there be market demand for it.

“Two of the basement parking areas will be converted into retail space. On the northern side of the mall we will construct a new parking deck and we will put in a mezzanine level on the southern side,” he noted.

From an investment point of view, Wilken stated that the second development phase of the mall would be yield enhancing, as the extension would not be overtly costly, with the foundation already there.

The mall was expected to have created 14 000 jobs during the peak-level of construction and would create 4 500 permanent jobs going forward.

Wilken pointed out that the development of Waterfall City was a good example of what could be created when provincial government and the private sector worked together.

“I wish we could get central government and the private sector to work closer together to jointly improve South Africa,” he concluded.