South Africa is home to some of the largest and most impressive shopping centres on the African continent.
From luxury fashion hubs to entertainment destinations, the country’s biggest malls offer world-class retail experiences.
While Fourways Mall in Johannesburg claims the title of South Africa’s largest mall, other giants like Menlyn Park in Pretoria and Gateway Theatre of Shopping in uMhlanga follow closely behind.
Here’s a look at the top 10 biggest malls in South Africa by Gross Lettable Area (GLA) – the total space that can be rented out to tenants:
Top 10 Biggest Malls in South Africa (by GLA)
| Rank | Mall | City | GLA (sqm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fourways Mall | Johannesburg | 178 202 |
| 2 | Menlyn Park Shopping Centre | Pretoria | 177 000 |
| 3 | Gateway Theatre of Shopping | uMhlanga | 176 400 |
| 4 | Sandton City | Johannesburg | 147 941 |
| 5 | Canal Walk | Cape Town | 147 834 |
| 6 | Eastgate Shopping Centre | Johannesburg | 142 825 |
| 7 | Centurion Mall | Centurion | 133 333 |
| 8 | Mall of Africa | Johannesburg | 131 038 |
| 9 | Pavilion Mall | Durban | 122 768 |
| 10 | Cresta Shopping Centre | Johannesburg | 114 545 |
Top South African Malls – Key Details
| Mall | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Fourways Mall (Johannesburg) | – Gross Lettable Area (GLA): ~178,000 sqm, making it the largest in SA. – Over 350 stores including international & local brands (e.g. H&M, Woolworths, Game, Checkers) – Entertainment facilities: multi-screen cinema (Ster-Kinekor), adventure / family entertainment (Bounce, arcade, mini-golf etc.), rooftop padel courts. – Parking: ~8,000+ parking bays. – Opened originally in 1994; major expansion completed in September 2019. – It has undergone recent strategic enhancements: new tenants, renewed leases, reducing vacancy, etc. |
| Menlyn Park Shopping Centre (Pretoria / Tshwane) | – GLA: ~177,000 sqm after 2016 expansion. – Number of stores: ~500. – Parking: ~8,250 bays; many entrances/exits (16 entrances, 12 exits). – Components include Food Court, Fashion Wing, Grocery Avenue, outdoor piazza, large garden / internal square surrounded by restaurants. – Also recognised for green design; the refurbishment was done with environmentally conscious design standards (“Green Star Retail Design”) by GBCSA. |
| Gateway Theatre of Shopping (uMhlanga, near Durban) | – GLA: ~176,400 sqm. – Over ~380‑400 stores. – Parking: huge parking capacity (~12,000 spaces) – Entertainment: large cinema complex (Ster-Kinekor, IMAX), family entertainment (arcades, bowling, etc.), attached hotel. – Located in Umhlanga Ridge, with good access etc. |
| Sandton City (Johannesburg) | – Known as one of the major premium malls in SA. – Ranking #4 in size: GLA ~147,941 sqm. – Features high‑end retail, corporate offices, mix of fashion, dining, entertainment. |
| Canal Walk (Cape Town) | – GLA: ~147,800+ sqm. – Over 400 stores; major national & international brands. – Parking: > 8,000 parking bays. – Built in “Cape Venetian architecture”; part of the Century City development. – Dining and entertainment offer: large cinema (Nu Metro, Scene Xtreme), many restaurants, cafés, fast food options. |
| Eastgate Shopping Centre (Johannesburg / Bedfordview, Gauteng) | – Opened in 1979; one of Johannesburg’s older super‑regional malls. – Number of stores: ~300. – Floor area (GLA): ~142,800‑145,000 sqm. – Offers a large variety of fashion boutiques, jewellery, technology, accessories etc. – Amenities: food court, cinemas, parking facilities, etc. – Has been upgraded / renovated over time. |
| Centurion Mall (Centurion, between Pretoria & Midrand) | – GLA: ~133,333 sqm. – Over ~230‑260 stores. – Anchored by major retailers like Woolworths, Checkers, Game, Pick n Pay, etc. – Notable architectural feature: “open‑air Spine” that mixes indoor and outdoor shopping experience. – Amenities: family & baby‑changing rooms, free Wi‑Fi (for a few hours), good parking facilities, etc. – Good transport connections including private & public transport; proximity to Gautrain/Bus services. |
| Mall of Africa (Midrand, Gauteng) | – GLA: ~130,000‑131,000 sqm. – Opened in April 2016. – Located in Waterfall City, Midrand. Major mixed‑use development. – Number of stores: ~300+. Outdoor restaurant plaza connecting to park; two main levels of retail. – Parking: ~6,000+ parking bays. |
| The Pavilion Mall (Durban / Westville) | – Located along the Durban Westville area, set in KwaZulu‑Natal. – GLA: in the region of ~120,000+ sqm. (Because Pavilion is #9 in your list, ~122,768 sqm) – Over 255 retail outlets. – Has multiple levels, cinemas (Nu Metro), food court, many restaurants and entertainment options. – Parking, free WiFi, etc. Serve a significant monthly footfall. |
| Cresta Shopping Centre (Johannesburg / Randburg) | – Opened in 1977; multiple expansions and refurbishments over the years. – Over ~260 stores. – Anchors: Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Checkers, Game, Edgars, Ster‑Kinekor, Mr Price Emporium etc. – Newer features include expanded food & entertainment courts across levels, upgraded facilities, newer tenants, etc. |
