Property

Huge new shopping mall opening coming to one of South Africa’s forgotten cities

Kirsten Minnaar • 8 March 2026

The new Jumbo Mall in eMalahleni, formerly Witbank, will officially open on 19 March 2026, introducing a 37,000 m² retail centre with over 100 stores and major national anchors.

With just a few weeks to go until opening day, Jumbo Mall is preparing to welcome its first shoppers on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

Positioned at the corner of the R544 and Main Street in eMalahleni, the 37,000m² regional retail centre was developed by New Africa Developments (NAD) in partnership with Investec.

The official launch will take place over four days, from 19 to 22 March, with the theme “Indawo Yethu” – Our Place. The opening weekend will feature a four-day programme of entertainment, promotions, and shopper engagement.

Live outside broadcasts and media activations will take place on site, supported by MC-led competitions, prize moments and a daily “Tap, Spin and Cash In” activation.

Local schools and choirs will form part of the entertainment line-up. Anchor and line tenants will host in-store activations, while several local motor dealerships will participate in the celebrations.

“We have always believed that a shopping centre should reflect the character and pride of the community around it,” said NAD CEO Japie van Niekerk.

“Jumbo Mall is about creating a shared space where families gather, young people connect, and local businesses thrive. Opening day is the culmination of years of planning, and we look forward to welcoming the community through the doors.”

On opening day, more than 100 stores will begin trading, anchored by major national retailers including Shoprite, Boxer, Clicks and Dis-Chem.

Fashion and lifestyle brands such as Foschini, Markham, Sportscene, Studio 88 and Total Sports will join a mix of apparel, cellular and speciality stores.

The centre will also house major financial institutions, including FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec, Old Mutual and Sanlam.

These will sit alongside a broad food offering featuring KFC, Chicken Licken, Romans Pizza, Hungry Lion and other sit-down and fast-casual options.

Jumbo Mall provides more than 1,500 free and secure parking bays, easily accessed via three entrances.

Free uncapped WiFi will be available from day one, while the expansive food court includes a big-screen television for live screenings and a dedicated children’s jungle gym.

Custom-designed seating with integrated workspaces will broaden the functionality of the mall environment. This will offer students, entrepreneurs, and remote workers a safe setting in which to meet, work, or study.

The Jumbo Mall design

Robin Houghton, Managing Director at NAD

A notable feature of the development is its extensive digital infrastructure, including nearly 300m² of high-definition LED screens installed both inside and outside the centre.

At its heart is a first-of-its-kind 3D immersive digital screen experience for eMalahleni, designed to entertain and inform shoppers in real time.

The digital ecosystem will enable live broadcasts of in-mall activities, performances and prize moments during the opening weekend, transforming the shopping environment into an interactive, shared experience.

Beyond the launch, the screens will provide a contemporary platform for retailer promotions, community highlights and branded content, bringing a level of digital engagement not previously available in the area.

Alongside its retail and entertainment appeal, Jumbo Mall represents a significant economic milestone for the region.

The development created approximately 2,500 construction jobs, with an estimated 800 permanent positions supported by the centre once fully operational. Local contractors and suppliers were actively involved throughout construction.

The mall also features an extensive solar photovoltaic installation, energy-efficient air conditioning, LED lighting, and water-saving toilets that reduce water use by up to 70%.

A state-of-the-art building management system monitors energy performance in real time, while 100% backup power ensures uninterrupted trading during load shedding.

“Jumbo Mall reflects the company’s broader vision for inclusive, future-fit retail,” said NAD Managing Director Robin Houghton.

“Secondary cities such as eMalahleni are dynamic, growing markets with clear demand for quality retail infrastructure.”

Houghton added that access to thoughtfully designed, contemporary shopping environments should not be limited by geography.

“Our aim is to create developments that become part of daily life – centres that stimulate trade, support employment and serve as long-term economic anchors.”