One year on, and it’s hard to imagine Waterfall without Mall of Africa. Atterbury’s mammoth retail project celebrates its first birthday this month, and we look back at a very successful 12 months. Mall of Africa’s Vanessa Fourie shares some of the biggest insights
Happy birthday! What festivities are planned?
There is an epic “Packyourbag” competition worth R62 500 that’s been running all month – the winner and a partner will jet off on an all-expenses paid, eight-day holiday to Egypt, including R15 000 spending money, sightseeing, flights, transfers and meals. And if you don’t win the biggie, there is also a runner-up prize of a trip for two to Zambia’s Victoria Falls on a three-night getaway that includes everything. In addition there are three consolation prizes of Huawei P9 Lite devices… To enter, shoppers have to spend R350 or more at any Mall of Africa store before 28 April, so hurry before it closes on Friday!
Are there any special birthday activations?
This coming Thursday, the 27th, all parking in the mall is free, perfect for the public holiday. And if you’re making a long weekend of it, don’t miss the birthday party on Friday afternoon… it’s great family fun with a Hamley’s parade through the mall, plus a live band. From 13:00 there will be cool flash mobs all around the mall, and we’ll be giving away great goodie bags worth R350 to lucky shoppers throughout the day.
In terms of objectives for the first year – how has MoA done?
It’s been a rollercoaster ride! A year ago when the mall opened, it literally made international news. Hundreds of thousands of shoppers poured into the mall over the opening period – bigger crowds than ever recorded in South Africa – and it hasn’t stopped! Mall of Africa welcomes an average of a million visitors every month, on our digital platforms there are over 270 000 visitors a day, and we engage with over 9 000 fans on Facebook every single day.
What are you proudest of?
There is so much, but if I must single something out it is the award-winning architecture, materials and engineering aspects of the structure – it is one big beautiful expression of planetary consciousness. Also the fact that we are 100% behind service and guide dogs and support these caring animals in every way. I’m so proud of facts such as the 306 pints of blood that was donated through our SANBS Mandela Day Blood Drive, and the R61 000 we raised through the Cansa Shavathon project and the hair we collected for cancer wigs, to name but a few. We’ve been able to give back to so many; not only our human friends, but also our furry friends with donations to the SPCA and support of anti-animal abuse activations; and that is our real birthday present.
What emerged as the most popular trends of the year in the mall in terms of where and when people visited?
Starbucks and Krispy Crème – the new arrivals in South Africa – have been the most thrilling to watch. It is unbelievable to see the amount of support these stores get – where they are located remain one of the most-asked questions at our info desk!
What do you hope for the next year?
Our hopes are to continue growing a successful mall, with continued customer support, and to grow our loyalty base. The footfall achieved has been astounding, and our challenge will be to maintain this, and to grow even further.
