Vukile Property Fund, a specialist consumer-led retail real estate investment trust (REIT), has launched a new multi-tenant emporium at Daveyton Mall.
“We’re invested in more than shopping centres. We’re invested in the communities they serve. The success of our centres is grounded in understanding local needs, and meeting and exceeding them,” says Laurence Rapp, CEO of Vukile Property Fund.
“With a customer-first approach, we co-create retail spaces and experiences that genuinely reflect and serve their unique communities while celebrating local talent, culture, community and innovation. The Vukile Retail Academy is a tangible expression of that philosophy.”
This was said to be part of the next phase of its game-changing Vukile Retail Academy. The project is said to bring fresh, community-driven retail experiences to local shoppers while helping small businesses grow into sustainable enterprises.
Now in its third year, the Vukile Retail Academy delivered on its founding aim of providing access to formal retail for promising entrepreneurs. Participants receive rent-free premises, fit-out support and hands-on mentorship.
The initiative forms part of Vukile’s wider commitment to inclusive growth, tenant diversity and shared opportunity across the retail ecosystem.
Matching retail strategy with community needs was said to be at the heart of Vukile’s singular business model. It’s popular, high-performing shopping centres, 33 of them in South Africa and the 20 retail assets abroad in Spain and Portugal, serve as platforms for local growth in each location.
They do this by supporting entrepreneurs, integrating cultural identity, and fostering loyalty through authentic engagement. This customer-centric, community-first approach is changing the retail landscape.
Launched in 2022, the Vukile Retail Academy programme has already made a measurable impact. The first intake of eight entrepreneurs received 1,035 sqm of retail space to trade from across four shopping centres, along with tailored business and operational support.
Mentorship focused on developing a resilient business mindset, enhancing store operations and building customer engagement strategies
From the 2023 Dobsonville cohort, Fakizinto Concepts and Zanwabo Cakes became full-time tenants. In 2024, four businesses from Randburg Square-Lonja Beauty Studio, Edenvinne, Vero’s Cake and Jeleni & Phindi Art Studio-have also joined the formal tenant mix, underlining the Vukile Retail Academy’s role in long-term tenant development.
“We’re seeing dreams become sustainable businesses,” says Itumeleng Mothibeli, MD SA at Vukile. “At the heart of the Vukile Retail Academy is a belief in people and potential.
“This programme is about removing barriers, nurturing talent and actioning our deep commitment to building the next generation of retailers, who will shape the future of South African retail.”
This year, the Vukile Retail Academy introduces an emporium-style space at Daveyton Mall, bringing five small businesses under one roof. The shared space allows entrepreneurs to share costs, test products and grow visibility in an animated, high-footfall retail setting.
These up-and-coming brands in the new emporium are:
- Seven Heartbeats: A cultural lifestyle brand blending contemporary fashion with traditional African design.
- Cossen: African-inspired fashion and footwear with live shoemaking experiences.
- Thesis Lifestyle: A Soweto-born streetwear brand celebrating township pride.
- GameOn.Africa: A tech-driven edutainment hub promoting digital learning and innovation.
- PeaPrido Elegance Events: A Daveyton-based events company delivering personalised, high-quality experiences.
Some of these businesses are expanding from existing markets or online platforms, with each coming with its own story, contributing fresh energy and relevance to the mall’s offering.
The Daveyton Mall, first opened over three decades ago, is one of South Africa’s first township malls. It was recently upgraded and extended by Vukile and stands as a modern reflection of the colourful heritage of its community.
The new design celebrates local culture through architectural features, murals and art installations. This culturally rich environment creates a powerful platform for a retail experience that truly belongs to its people.
Reflecting its role as a community anchor, the mall’s redevelopment included significant local participation, resulting in a retail centre that does more than serve the community; it reflects and empowers it. Its trailblazing new emporium of entrepreneurs extends this ethos.
At Vukile, retail is about people before products. The Vukile Retail Academy reflects its longer-term ambition to help shape a retail sector that mirrors the depth and potential of South Africa’s entrepreneurial talent.
“This flagship initiative is rooted in our commitment to building a retail ecosystem where local talent thrives and communities feel seen, supported and proud. It’s about creating lasting partnerships for a better South Africa,” Rapp said.
Business Partners Limited said South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have had a tumultuous few years, affected by a broad spectrum of political and economic issues.
Despite these challenges, it said many business owners managed to keep their businesses afloat, and some have even found opportunities for growth and development. A crucial factor in the success of many of these businesses was having a proactive plan to address the challenges they encountered, it said.
In May, Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited, said only one in five SMEs manages to secure the financial support they need to grow their businesses.
He said in South Africa, 87% of small businesses have never accessed credit due to traditional lending practices like reliance on collateral and rigid credit scoring systems, creating financial exclusion.
“This exclusion is particularly pronounced among small and early-stage enterprises, which make up the ‘missing middle’ of SMEs and don’t fit traditional financiers’ one-size-fits-all requirements.”
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