It was another sign of the coming of age of Soweto, which many worldwide still associate with the grim deprivation millions of black South Africans suffered under Apartheid. Now out of the grey winter sunshine a shiny symbol of new Soweto has taken its place. The 650 million rand (US$ 88 million) Maponya Mall is a symbol of Soweto’s renaissance.

The grand opening attracted the cream of South African society and was formally opened by former South African President Nelson Mandela, other dignitaries in attendance included the mayor of Johannesburg Amos Masondo and leaders from South African politics and business.

The 65, 000 square meter shopping mall the largest in Soweto and one of the largest in Southern Africa is the brain child of long term Soweto resident businessman Richard Maponya. Maponya had long harboured the dream of an up scale shopping venue in Soweto and today in partnership with the banking giant Investec and Zenoprop Property Holdings. The Shopping mall is expected to create 1800 jobs within Soweto.