Business
The all new Oceans Mall opens its doors to the public
On the eve of Friday 11 November, the who’s who of KZN – celebrities, captains of industry, entrepreneurs, politicians and the media – gathered to celebrate the official opening of the prestigious R1.3bn Oceans Mall in Umhlanga.
Red carpet experience
The evening started inside the luxurious mall where invitees were treated to a red carpet experience with champagne and canapés while perusing the mall’s offerings. They were then ushered into the opulent Radisson Blue conference room and greeted by host and well-known media personality Vanessa Marawa.
Guests were entertained with song and dance, and after enough mingling and networking was had,everyone was formally welcomed by co-developer Vivian Reddy.
An unforgettable experience
Reddy gave his thanks to the attendees and spoke about the challenges that the mall faced. “This iconic mall overcame barriers and obstacles. The project has won international awards, created thousands of jobs and brought economic prosperity to the people of KwaZulu-Natal,” said Reddy.
“We have the pleasure of offering every shopper an unforgettable retail experience.”
The 36,000sqm mall is part of the double award-winning R4.3-billion Oceans Umhlanga mixed-use development project which was awarded the best mixed-use architecture award at the International Property Awards in 2016 – 2017.
Oceans Mall puts KZN on the global map
Speeches were also given by the KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the Mayor of eThekwini, Mxolisi Kaunda, and the executive head of the Government Employees Pension Fund,Musa Mabesa.
“Today we should all walk tall because the owners of this mall have put us on the global map,” said Ncube. “Hope springs eternally as we welcome and celebrate the spanking new Oceans Mall.”
State-of-the-art anchor tenants and nearly 120 stores are let
The mall opened its door to the public on 15 November with much fanfare, especially with the opening of its two state-of-the-art anchor tenants, Woolworths and Checkers. Over 97% of the mall’s 120 stores are let and are filled with both national and sought-after international brands.
The project created 6,000 jobs during construction and 2,500 permanent jobs at the mall itself, being called a catalytic development by the City of Durban.
The aspirational and opulent mall is a first for KZN and ranked alongside the other two exclusive malls in the country, Sandton City in Johannesburg and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
International fashion-brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry and Versace, and others will launch in the next phase of the mall opening in March 2023.
For more information, go to the mall’s website, or follow the social media pages for more details: @oceans_mall on Instagram and OceansMallSouthAfrica on Facebook.
Author: Shelley
Attractions
KZN Secures Major Boost with R1.4B North Tower Launch and R1.3B Leisure Investment in uMhlanga
In a city steadily rising as one of South Africa’s leading urban investment hubs, the Oceans Umhlanga Mixed-Use Development will officially launch its R1.4 billion North Oceans Umhlanga Residential Tower on Friday, 25 July in uMhlanga. The unveiling marks a significant milestone not just for the precinct, but for KwaZulu-Natal’s broader economic and social transformation.
The North Tower forms part of the R4.3 billion Oceans Umhlanga Mixed-Use Development, which includes the internationally award-winning Oceans Mall and the five-star Radisson Blu Durban Umhlanga Hotel. Since the mall’s opening, the precinct has breathed new life into the region—creating jobs, attracting global brands, and reimagining what luxury and inclusive growth can look like side by side.
“This is not just a property launch; it’s a celebration of how far Durban has come, and a reflection of the developers’ (Vivian Reddy and Rob Alexander) tenacity and unwavering perseverance,” said Brian Mpono, CEO of Oceans Umhlanga Development. “The Oceans Umhlanga development has brought global attention to the potential of this province. We’re proud to now open the doors to a residential offering that reflects both international luxury standards and local ownership in a way South Africa has never seen before.”
The North Tower introduces over 258 high-end luxury apartments, ranging from studios to four-bedroom units—including penthouses—all designed with ocean-facing views of one of the most iconic stretches of Africa’s East Coast. Each unit features premium finishes and direct access to Oceans Mall.
Beyond the aesthetics and amenities, the project is rooted in a powerful vision of transformation. Approximately 50% of the current North Tower workforce are young and Black South Africans—with a noticeable representation of young Black women.
Equally significant is the commercial makeup of the Oceans Umhlanga development. Half of Oceans Mall’s retail space is Black-owned, with 12 of its 14 restaurants operated by Black entrepreneurs. To date, the precinct has created over 25,000 jobs during construction, with many of those roles filled by individuals from surrounding communities including Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, and Blackburn—within a 5 to 10 km radius of uMhlanga. This highlights the development’s deep commitment to inclusive, community-driven growth.
Neighbouring areas such as KwaMashu, Verulam, Ntuzuma, Inanda, and Durban North—once considered distant from large-scale investment—are now part of a new chapter. Employment in sectors like retail, construction, security, cleaning, logistics, transport, and hospitality is no longer out of reach for residents in these communities.
“We are witnessing lives change in real time,” continued Mpono. “Young people are securing jobs in flagship luxury boutiques. Women are running thriving restaurants. Fathers who once struggled to find stable employment are now part of reliable teams in logistics and security. These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent families with renewed hope, dignity, and a real opportunity to participate in the economy.”
Strategically positioned on Lagoon Drive in the heart of uMhlanga, the Oceans North Tower is poised to become a landmark for long-term value and secure investment. The building includes resort-style pools, concierge services, yoga zones, children’s play areas, ducted air-conditioning, inverter readiness, and direct connectivity to Oceans Mall and the beachfront promenade.
While final statistics on the economic impact will be revealed at the launch, the project continues to anchor Durban’s post-pandemic recovery and growing national interest in KwaZulu-Natal’s property sector.
In Mpono’s words: “The completion of the Oceans Umhlanga Residential Towers is a vote of confidence from the developers—confidence in Durban, in our people, and in the kind of future we can build when world-class investment meets authentic transformation.” He also teased the announcement of a R1.3 billion leisure investment in the upcoming South Tower.
The launch event, taking place on the evening of Friday, 25 July, will host media, investors, development partners, civic leaders, and government officials including the Mayor and Premier. Guests can expect an exclusive viewing of the residential tower, live entertainment, refreshments, and formal addresses by Vivian Reddy, the Mayor, the Premier of KZN, and economic analysts.
Author: Shelley
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Author: Shelley
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Author: Shelley
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