Exemplar REITail has broken ground on Mbhashe Mall in Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, cementing their strategic expansion in the region with Lusiki Plaza, KwaBhaca Mall, and Bizana Walk already well-established retail developments in the province.
Alongside rural retail development experts McCormick Property Development (MPD), work on site officially began in late October 2023 with contractors beginning the bulk earthworks. A ceremonial sod turning was held with delegates from the Idutywa Town Council, municipal officials, and the Mayor all in attendance.
“As we wrap up 2023, it is exciting to finally get started on another incredible opportunity in the Eastern Cape,” explained CEO of Exemplar, Jason McCormick.
“We believe in the retail possibilities within the province and in Idutywa in particular, as it serves as a regional trading hub for the entire Mbhashe region of the Eastern Cape.”
“We anticipate serving communities up to 60km away and the development gives us a great opportunity to spread our #ChangeforGood impact across some of the most rural communities in the country.”
Developed in partnership with local entrepreneur, Livingstone Nogoduka, Mbhashe Mall will be a single-level, double-anchored enclosed mall, with its first phase spanning almost 19 000m2.
Confirmed tenants include Shoprite, Shoprite Liquor, Boxer, Boxer Liquor, OBC, Clicks, Capitec, ABSA, Truworths as well as the Pepkor and the Studio 88 groups.
The project is expected to be complete in just over a year and will include the signature local flair that has become synonymous with developments done by MPD. Mbhashe Mall is the 83rd development by the company who is celebrating four decades of development.
Since 1983, MPD has developed award-winning malls across five provinces. Innovative concepts such as the Kasi CoLAB, a township design entrepreneurship incubator that is in both Mamelodi Square and the Mall of Thembisa, the development of market gardens and the inclusion of sports facilities are all key elements of MPD developments.
Combined with various community-centred initiatives, family-orientated entertainment and ensuring each development has a unique local feel, both Exemplar and MPD’s legacy of uplifting, empowering, and changing, for good, while delivering world-class retail developments, remains solid.
