Princess Mkabayi Mall in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, has opened its doors after fifteen months of construction – the largest consolidated retail offering in an almost 100-kilometre radius.
Officially opened by His Majesty the King of the Zulu Nation MisuZulu kaZwelithini, the shopping centre has been years in the making for lead developer, Moolman Group with co-owners Twin City, JB Holdings, and Green Giraffe.
The single-level shopping centre boasts 30 740m2 of retail space, anchored by Shoprite, Checkers, Dis-Chem, Jaywelani, Woolworths, and Clicks. Shoppers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and workstations with comfortable seating. It also includes a large entertainment space and play area for children, a central meeting area, and various eateries.
Princess Mkabayi Mall is primely located on Oost Street in Vryheid with easy access via the off-ramp from the R34 or R60. It boasts more than 800 free parking spaces, and it is public transport friendly with a taxi rank on site.
The development of the shopping centre resulted in over R50 million being ploughed into the local economy during construction with several initiatives put into place to ensure that locals are prioritised for employment by the mall.
Its design is inspired by the rich cultures of the local community and the towering legacy of Princess Mkabayi kaJama (named in her honour), incorporating an array of beautiful elements across the centre including lighting, murals, installations, landscaping, indoor plants, and furniture.
The developers incorporated solar power equipped to ensure non-stop shopping during load shedding and the centre will also have its own water plant for garden irrigation and other uses.
