JSE-listed Exemplar REITail has opened Leratong City Mall in Kagiso, marking the first phase of the R5 billion Leratong Smart City development on Gauteng’s West Rand. This project is a public-private partnership involving the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, Mogale City Local Municipality, and Trendville, with McCormick Property Development (MPD) as the developer.
The 34,000m² regional shopping center is the second-largest in Exemplar’s portfolio and one of the biggest retail developments to launch in a South African township this year. McCormick Property Development (MPD), Exemplar’s long-term partner, led the project, with MDS Architecture handling the design. His father, John, founded MPD in 1983.
A strategic location serving multiple communities
Leratong City Mall primarily serves the communities of Kagiso, Tshepisong, and Azaadville, but its reach extends far beyond. Strategically located at the R41/R558 crossroads, directly opposite Leratong Hospital, the mall sits on routes connecting Mogale City with Soweto, Randfontein, Merafong, Roodepoort, Florida, and Johannesburg. The area has even been dubbed “North West Soweto” by developers. The mall’s opening follows a 17-month construction period that began in June 2025, shortly after a sod-turning ceremony on June 5, 2025.
“We have delivered on time and on budget once again and are excited about how Leratong can enhance so many communities,” said Jason McCormick, CEO of Exemplar.
A green building pioneer in township retail
Leratong City Mall is not just a retail hub but also a green building milestone. It has received preliminary EDGE Advanced certification, the higher tier of the International Finance Corporation’s green building standard, which requires at least 40% energy savings. Nedbank CIB Property Finance, the only local bank with in-house EDGE expertise, provided funding and technical support from the design stage.
The mall features a 3.3MW rooftop solar installation with 5,376 panels and 21 inverters of 120kW each, projected to reduce grid electricity use by 31%. Its design maximizes natural light and efficient water use, contributing to its green credentials. In 2024, a five-million-litre reservoir was completed in Kagiso Extension 13 to secure water supply for the smart city.
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The development created 1,096 jobs during construction, with 495 people on-site by the end of 2025. Over 20 small businesses from surrounding areas were contracted. Once the full smart city is developed, it’s expected to support around 2,500 permanent jobs.
The mall’s design draws inspiration from the West Rand’s mining heritage. Angular steel canopies at the main entrances resemble mine headgear, serving as both landmarks and weather protection. Inside, the main walkway features a geometric ceiling that mimics an open-cast mine, with skylights bringing in natural light. The amphitheatre, surrounded by indigenous landscaping, is designed for community events and ties directly into the mall’s walkways and food court.
A hub for community and entertainment
Leratong City Mall is more than a shopping destination; it’s a community hub. The mall features a 1,000-seat amphitheatre designed for concerts, markets, and live sports. This tiered outdoor space includes a digital screen and connects directly to the food court, which has 11 restaurants and large sliding glass panels that open to the amphitheatre.
The mall also includes two indoor and three outdoor children’s play areas, including a 300m² outdoor play zone, making it a family-friendly space. Leratong City Mall is a single-level center with 89 retail tenants, including nine banks, over 60 fashion stores, and fast-food brands like KFC. It also houses three supermarket anchors (Shoprite, Boxer, Pick n Pay), two butchers, and both major pharmacy groups (Clicks, Dis-Chem).
A model for future township developments
Leratong City Mall is part of a broader strategy rooted in the Township Regeneration Strategy of the early 2010s and aligned with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2019 call for new smart cities. Unlike many housing projects, where retail and services lag, Leratong prioritizes commercial development first, providing immediate employment, revenue, and convenience for residents.
The mall is the commercial anchor of a 350ha node planned to include 15,000 housing units, a private hospital, schools, early childhood development centers, parks, transport facilities, government service offices, and a commercial precinct. The next phase of Leratong Smart City is expected to unfold over the next 10 to 15 years, solidifying the mall’s central role in this emerging urban district.
