Cape Town shopping mall built on land that was taken for 50 years sold to South African property investor

The Competition Commission has approved the sale of Constantia Emporium, a shopping centre that sits at the centre of one of the most successful land claims in South African history.

The centre will now be acquired by FPG Holdings, whose portfolio consists of eight retail centres located within a 15 km radius of Constantia Emporium.

This includes Sandown Retail Crossing, Moreleta Corner, Ottery Hyper, and Somerset Square. 

The Competition Commission announced its approval of Constantia Emporium’s acquisition on Thursday, 8 October, saying the sale is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent competition in any market.

Located on Ladies Mile Road in Constantia, Cape Town, Constantia Emporium opened its doors to the public in 2019.

However, the story of the land on which Constantia Emporium was built dates back far earlier and was originally owned by the Solomon family.

Hajie Abdullah and Saba Owen Solomon bought the land in 1902, when it included Lots 10 and 11 of a Constantia farm called Sillery.

There, the family farmed vegetables and grapes, and the land served as Constantia’s commercial hub with farm stalls where other farmers sold their produce.

The Solomon family held the land until the 1960s, when the apartheid government took the land from them under the Group Areas Act.

Under this legislation, the family was formally evicted and moved to Crawford and Rondebosch East. 

While the City of Cape Town started using the land as a refuse dump and recycling depot, the Solomon family continued to fight for their land to be returned.

The family lodged a restitution application with the Land Claims Commission in 1996 and, in 2010, won their case.

The Solomon Family Trust re-acquired the title deed to their land in 2012, achieving one of the most successful land claim cases in South African history.

With this settlement, the Solomon family became the first claimants to receive their land back in Constantia.

After receiving their land back, the family began developing plans to build a shopping centre, as the Land Claims Commissioner had required a business plan as part of the settlement agreement.

In 2018, construction of Constantia Emporium began, and in November 2019, it opened its doors to the public.

Today, the centre spans 15,000 m² and houses 26 stores, anchored by a Checkers, Woolworths, and Clicks.

In approving the centre’s sale, the Competition Commission noted that FPG will acquire the centre and the land on which it is situated.

It said the proposed transaction does not raise significant public interest concerns.

Constantia Emporium photos