Nonesi Mall in Komani (formerly Queenstown) has officially reopened after a R76.1 million extension and refurbishment, the property owner said. The upgrade, completed on 13 August 2026, adds about 3 100 square metres of retail space and brings the mall’s gross lettable area to almost 31 000m².
New services and anchors aimed at convenience
The extension introduces four new major tenants: OBC Better Butchery, Dis-Chem Pharmacy, Standard Bank and Absa. These additions join an established tenant mix that includes Game, Checkers, Boxer Superstores, Woolworths and Jet.
The redevelopment also enabled the relocation and refurbishment of the existing Clicks store and pharmacy, the arrival of Edgars and an expansion of Sidestep, broadening retail and everyday services for Komani residents.
Local economic impact and procurement
Vukile Property Fund, which owns Nonesi Mall, said the redevelopment delivered a noticeable local economic boost during construction. The project created 356 employment opportunities, with 174 jobs filled by local people. Vukile reported about R39.7 million was spent on subcontractors and materials for the project.
Of that procurement spend, approximately R12.5 million was sourced within the immediate local community and a further R26.6 million elsewhere in the Eastern Cape. Vukile calculated that roughly 98.5% of the project’s expenditure remained within the province.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Capital investment | R76.1 million |
| New retail area | 3 100 m² |
| Total GLA | ~31 000 m² |
| Jobs created | 356 (174 local) |
| Procurement spend | R39.7 million (R12.5m local; R26.6m elsewhere in EC) |
Why this matters to Komani
The upgrade strengthens Nonesi Mall’s role as a regional shopping and services hub. For Komani residents, the presence of full-service banks and a larger pharmacy reduces the need to travel to bigger centres for basic financial and healthcare purchases. That can be particularly significant in a district where transport costs and travel time restrict access to services.
From a retail perspective, bringing in anchors such as Dis-Chem and additional bank branches is likely to increase footfall across the centre, supporting smaller traders and informal economic activity on the perimeter of the complex.
- Immediate job creation during construction: 356 positions, many locally filled.
- Expanded retail offering: improved access to pharmacy and banking services.
- Local procurement: substantial share of project spend retained within the Eastern Cape.
The project also reflects investor confidence in Komani’s retail market. Vukile describes Nonesi as one of its largest and best-performing South African properties, a status reinforced by the mall’s ability to secure new national tenants.
Questions for municipal and provincial stakeholders
While the expansion brings clear benefits, it also raises policy considerations for the local municipality and the Eastern Cape provincial government. Increased retail activity places greater demand on municipal services such as waste management, public safety, traffic management and parking. The degree to which local government plans to support or regulate those impacts will affect whether the gains from private investment translate into long-term benefits for Komani residents.
For small local traders, the expansion is a mixed prospect: higher shopper numbers can lift takings, but competition from national chains can squeeze margins. The local economic development office may consider targeted support — training, market access or preferential procurement clauses in future projects — to ensure smaller suppliers capture more value from such developments.
For now, Komani shoppers will find a broader range of everyday services under one roof. The challenge ahead is ensuring that the economic benefits — jobs, procurement and improved services — are sustained and shared across the local community.
Details: The mall’s extension was completed and opened on 13 August 2026, according to the owner, Vukile Property Fund. New anchor tenants include OBC Better Butchery, Dis-Chem, Standard Bank and Absa. The extension added roughly 3 100m² of retail space, bringing total gross lettable area to almost 31 000m².
