Updated List of biggest Malls in South Africa in April 2026
South Africa has the most shopping malls of any country on the planet.
It has about 340 shopping malls distributed across its regions, totalling over 87 million square meters.
Malls continue to increase as the country’s population grows, responding to the ever-increasing needs of shoppers.
South Africa features several huge shopping malls, some of which are among the best on the African continent.
These shopping malls have attracted consumers, leisure seekers, and even visitors who visit the various amenities each year for a variety of reasons.
Let us look at some of the top biggest malls in South Africa.
Fourways Mall in Johannesburg
Fourways Shopping Centre initially was not among the largest malls in South Africa before year 2019, with an area of only 85,000 square meters.
It has now been enlarged to span a total area of 178,000 square meters, making it the country’s third biggest.
What makes it even more intriguing is that it is also located in Johannesburg.
Accelerate Property Fund, a property management business, now owns it.
As one might anticipate from such a large mall, there is almost nothing you can’t find, including food stores, fashion, electronics, health and beauty, homeware and décor, and everything else in between, such as entertainment requirements and much more.
There are almost 380+ stores in the mall.
It initially opened in 1997 before being reopened as a larger retail canter in 2019 following a multi-million-rand restoration that allowed it to add 200+ new brands and outlets to its current ones.
The mall also has + 8,000 covered parking spaces available to its customers.
To visit Fourways Mall website, click here
Sandton City South Africa
Sandton City is South Africa’s largest shopping mall based in 83 Rivonia Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton.
It is a well-known shopping area that draws visitors from all walks of life, from shopkeepers to tourists.
Sandton Central Management District in Johannesburg is where the mall is located.
There are about 300 retail complexes in the city, which draw millions of people each year, both residents and foreigners.
Sandton City in South Africa started operating in 1973 and is presently owned by Liberty Holdings Limited, Liberty Two Degrees Limited, and Pareto Limited, among others.
It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for; you’ll almost certainly be able to find it all under one shopping canter.
The mall featured 120 businesses when it initially opened, and it encompassed 50,000 square meters.
It now has a total area of 215,000 square meters, thanks to continued expansion throughout the years.
It features about 280+ stores, some of which are occupied by big brands like, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Mr Price, Total sports and many more.
To visit Sandton City website, click here
Gateway Theatre of Shopping
The Gateway Theatre of Shopping was formerly South Africa’s third-biggest mall, and it remains one of Africa’s and the world’s largest malls for the time being.
It is regarded as one of the best malls in the world, despite its small size.
The shopping centre is in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to the north.
The Old Mutual Property facility was built between 1998 and 2001, and it was ready to use by 2001.
To visit Gateway Theatre of Shopping website, click here
Menlyn Park Shopping Centre
Menlyn Park Retail Centre is another intriguing shopping venue that, with a space of 177,000 square meters, ranks as one of South Africa’s largest malls.
More than 500 retailers, 8,250 parking spaces, 16 parking entrances, and 12 parking exits are located throughout the four-story mall.
It is an award-winning retail mall that has received international recognition and houses numerous major brands.
The mall was completed in 1979, and it was enlarged again in 1988.
It was expanded and redesigned in 1998.
In 2016, R2.5 billion was invested in a substantial extension and makeover that transformed it into what we see today.
The mall’s expansion and renovation took two years to complete.
It is owned by Pareto, a development firm.
It was, however, originally owned by the London-based England corporation Old Mutual Properties.
To visit Menlyn Park Shopping website, click here
Canal Walk in Cape Town
Canal Walk Shopping Centre is the fifth largest in the country, with a capacity of 141,000 square meters.
It was constructed in 2000 in the style known as Cape Venetian architecture.
There are around 400 retailers, movies, restaurants, and parks in the area.
It also offers 7,000 parking spaces and 12 convenient entrances.
Some of the world’s most coveted brands are under its wing.
Everything from the best of fashion from thousands of companies to shopping, leisure, and even entertainment can be found here.
To visit Canal Walk Shopping Centre website, click here
Eastgate Shopping Centre
On a busy month, this is one of the busiest malls in the country, with up to a million visits.
According to statistics, the mall attracts up to 80,000 people on Saturdays, thanks to its over 250 businesses, which include high-end brands, restaurants, entertainment venues, beauty salons, car dealerships, and more.
Eastgate Shopping Centre’s history dates back to 1979, when it was developed as Johannesburg’s first super-regional shopping mall.
Thanks to its additions, it has grown to become one of the country’s major shopping malls.
In 2010, the area was increased to 121,000 square meters, and in 2017, it was increased to 141,000 square meters.
To visit Eastgate Shopping Centre website, click here
The Pavilion Shopping Centre, Durban
There are around 255 retailers in the mall, which cater to both local and foreign customers.
It has 35+ restaurants, hairdressers, shops, and other retail establishments, as well as a theatre.
It includes 17 entrances that lead to 2901 parking spaces, some of which are charged and others of which are free.
Pensioners are entitled to free parking.
This huge mall originally opened its doors in 1993, making it the oldest first-generation commercial mall in KwaZulu-Natal.
It was 75,000 square meters when Murray and Roberts initially built it.
This was still a big structure at the time, but that hasn’t stopped it from growing over time.
The most recent addition took place in 2014, bringing the total area to 135,000 square meters.
The mall was designed with European architecture in mind.
To visit The Pavilion Shopping Centre website, click here
Mall of Africa
Mall of Africa’s development began in 2012, although it wasn’t available to the public until 2016.
The mall, which features 50 elevators, cost R5 billion to build.
It contains a total of 6500 parking spaces.
Malkia Rikhotso Enterprises, Atterbury Group, and RMB Holdings are the owners.
This shopping mall stands out among the others on the list since it is the country’s newest single-phase mall.
All of the others were constructed before being enlarged to accommodate more crowds.
The mall, which spans 130,000 square meters, houses over 300 stores from renowned brands such as Adidas, African Bank, Ackermans, Al Capone, Zara Home and many more.
To visit Mall of Africa website, click here
Centurion Mall in Centurion
Centurion mall, which is located in Centurion, Gauteng, has 13 restaurants and over 200 retailers.
It was erected near Centurion Lake in 1983.
It would go on to become the first brand in the nation to be associated with large and well-known stores.
It did not undergo any substantial renovations since its construction until 2003, when 250 million ZAR was spent on the project.
This is what allowed it to grow to its current size of 105,000 square meters.
Centurion Mall, which boasts a well-known fake color water fountain facility, is owned by Redefine Property Group, who purchased it in 2015 for R4.6 billion.
According to studies, malls draw up to 14.4 million customers each year.
Apart from being one of the country’s largest malls, Centurion Mall prides itself on being a terrific place for people to shop and mingle.
It, like others, has a slew of brands under its sleeve, including Pick n Pay, Game, and Dis-Chem.
To visit Centurion Mall website, click here
Westgate Shopping Mall, Johannesburg
The complex, which ranks 10th among South Africa’s largest malls, initially opened its doors to the public in 1985.
The mall is 109,418 square meters in size and has fewer retailers than the others on the list, with only 184 stores and six entrances.
Westgate Mall is one of South Africa’s major shopping malls, having undergone several restorations and redesigns throughout the years.
The mall is a great spot to go if you’re searching for a place where you can shop for a variety of brands all under one roof.
Pick n Pay, Game, Woolworths, Checkers Hyper, and Edgars are just a few of the well-known brands you’ll discover here.
To visit Westgate Shopping Mall website, click here
