R76 Million Nonesi Mall Expansion Brings New Shops and Jobs to Komani

The expansion, officially opened on 13 August 2026, adds approximately 3,100 square metres of retail space, taking the mall's total gross lettable area to almost 31,000 square metres.

The development was undertaken by Vukile Property Fund, a specialist retail property group with a portfolio spanning South Africa and international markets.

New retailers and services

The expansion has introduced four new major tenants to Nonesi Mall:

• OBC Better Butchery

• Dis-Chem Pharmacy

• Standard Bank

• Absa Bank

The redevelopment has also resulted in the relocation and refurbishment of the existing Clicks store and pharmacy, while Edgars has joined the centre and Sidestep has expanded its store.

The new tenant mix is intended to give shoppers greater access to essential retail, healthcare, banking and lifestyle services in one location.

Existing major retailers at the mall include Game, Checkers, Boxer Superstores, Woolworths and Jet.

Vukile says the redevelopment was guided by customer data and local insights to identify gaps in the mall's existing offering and better respond to the needs of shoppers in the surrounding community.

Investment creates local opportunities

The project has also contributed to employment and economic activity in the Eastern Cape.

According to Vukile, the development has created 356 employment opportunities, with 174 going to people from the local community.

Approximately R39.7 million was spent on subcontractors and materials during the project.

Of that amount, around R12.5 million was spent within the local community, while a further R26.6 million was spent elsewhere in the Eastern Cape.

This means that 98.5% of the project expenditure remained within the province, according to Vukile.

The investment highlights the role that retail developments can play beyond providing places to shop, particularly in regional towns where major commercial centres can support employment, services and local businesses.

More than a shopping centre

Vukile Managing Director for South Africa, Itumeleng Mothibeli, said the Nonesi Mall project was intended to strengthen the centre's role within the Komani community.

"The expansion of Nonesi Mall is more than a physical upgrade. It is an investment in people, community and potential," said Mothibeli.

The completed development also makes use of previously underutilised parking space at the front of the mall, allowing Vukile to expand the centre without requiring a completely new retail development.

For residents of Komani and surrounding communities, the expansion means more retail choice and access to essential services, while the investment has created jobs and kept the majority of project expenditure within the Eastern Cape.

The project was officially launched under the banner 'Sikhulile', meaning 'We've grown', with stakeholders, tenants and project partners attending the opening.