Thavhani Mall produces economic opportunities for its local community

At 50,000 m² the soon-to-open Thavhani Mall in Thohoyandou may be a regional shopping centre, but it has been created with its community at heart and carefully planned to have substantial and meaningful benefits for its local economy.

The almost 140 stores will open on 24 August to become the largest shopping centre in the growing town of Thohoyandou.

From day one, Thavhani Mall has been a local initiative. Seven years ago, local businessman Khosi Ramovha of Thavhani Property Investments partnered with leading South African shopping centre developers and investors, Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Investment, which secured the co-investment of JSE-listed retail REIT Vukile Property Fund.

Deeply inclusive of local businesses, the mall’s representation of local retail brands with strong roots in the region includes VBS Mutual Bank, Zoe Exclusive, PIB Holdings, Vhutambo Edu-Toys, Next – fashion, Spectacle Hut, and Zwawe Restaurant, with even more to come.

Also, local franchisees operating from Thavhani Mall include MultiChoice, PostNet, Link Pharmacy, Spar Pharmacy, News Café, Spur, Steers, Debonairs, Fishaways, Milky Lane, Romans Pizza, and Sausage Saloon, among others joining its leasing mix.

The mall’s owners have appointed three local companies as service providers for Thavhani Mall’s major operational areas: the security services of Gwala Security, cleaning and hygiene provider Musukume Investment Holdings and landscapers Gauflora.

 “As part of our local stakeholder outreach we pass on numerous opportunities at Thavhani Mall to Thulamela Business Forum (TBF), which then distributes the opportunities to their stakeholders,” explains Paul Gerard from Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Investment. TBF also provides Thavhani Mall with insight into the needs of local business, their concerns and suggestions.

Thavhani Mall has already created jobs throughout its construction process, and the mall’s approach to permanent employment positions has generated staggering results with 97,000 job applications received.

Thavhani mall is the focal point of the large mixed-use urban precinct mega development, Thavhani City, which is being developed on a 27ha site in Thohoyandou.  t will add the Thavhani Office Park, a motor-city and private healthcare facilities to the existing facilities

which include a library, community centre, information centre, and the 40,000-seater Thohoyandou Stadium.

Paul Gerard of Thavhani Property Investments

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 010 590 4867