14 August 2018 Attacq Limited, (Attacq), the JSE listed property company developing Waterfall City and Waterfall Logistics Hub, is proud to announce that the Mall of Africa received the ‘Coolest Mall’ award at the 2018 Sunday Times Generation Next Awards.
Started in 2004, the annual Sunday Times Generation Next survey, in association with leading youth market specialist, HDI Youth Marketeers, polls more than twelve thousand young people from around South Africa, across more than seventy categories. The poll is considered the leading annual youth brand preference and consumer behaviour survey in the country.
Mall of Africa took home the award for Coolest Shopping Mall in South Africa, edging out Sandton City, which had previously held the title, while Gateway Theatre of Shopping came in third.
“We are honoured to have received this award, as it affirms our vision of being the leading shopping and lifestyle destination in South Africa. We constantly strive to push the boundaries of innovation and originality in order to create a unique shopping experience for our visitors; we are glad to see that our efforts have resonated with South African youth,” says Melt Hamman, CEO of Attacq.
Since it opened its doors in 2016, Mall of Africa has fast become one of the top go-to locations for a full shopping and lifestyle experience. With over 300 stores, consumers are spoilt for choice within the massive shopping complex. Through its state of the art facilities, balanced and well positioned tenant mix and lifestyle offering the Mall of Africa has firmly positioned itself as the ideal hang-out spot and experiential destination for many South African teens.
“With youth influence accounting for over R120 billion of household spend per annum, we were very cognisant of making sure that the mall was engaging and appealing to all our young shoppers. The Mall’s strong emphasis on technology innovation and lifestyle ensures that we stay ahead of the curve,” adds Johann Fourie, General Manager at Mall of Africa.
The inspiration behind the design of Mall of Africa was drawn from the natural and geological beauty of the African continent. There are four courts that depict the natural wealth and beauty of the continent: the oleum court depicting the oil rich West Africa, a great lakes court depicting East Africa, a crystal court depicting the mineral wealth in Southern Africa and a sand court depicting the desert area of North Africa.
Increasingly the Mall of Africa is becoming the preferred host for a range of lifestyle and leisure events, having become the official host of the AFI Fashion Week in Johannesburg and is currently home to the Prestigious National Antique and Decorative Arts Faire. This focus on experience and engagement has been key to the Mall’s accolade as Coolest Mall in South Africa 2018.