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AJ Property Holdings, a Durban-based, majority Black-owned property developer led by South African executive Bernadette Mzobe, is preparing to open its new shopping mall on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast. The development, which has already generated significant local interest, is expected to reshape retail and residential activity in the Kingsburgh area.
Pre-leased 90 percent ahead of launch
The Kingsburgh Junction mall is set to open on March 26, 2026, as one of South Africa’s largest new retail projects. By September 2025, 90 percent of its space was pre-let, anchored by national retailers including Superspar with Tops and Vida e Café, Woolworths, and Dis-Chem. Other tenants include Pep, Pep Home, Ackermans and quick-service restaurants such as KFC Drive-Thru and Pedro’s. The development is expected to generate construction jobs and permanent retail positions, draw shoppers from nearby towns and support local businesses.
The mall’s location benefits from its proximity to Arbour Town, the region’s dominant retail hub, as well as nearby Galleria Mall, Arbour Crossing (Value Centre) and Makro, all within 4.5 kilometers. While Arbour Town serves as a super-regional destination, the new mall is designed as a convenience retail hub, complementing Seadoone Mall and addressing demand in middle-income suburbs such as Doonside, Doon Heights, Shulton Park, and Warner Beach.
AJ Property delivers community-focused developments
Founded in 2017, AJ Property Holdings is a 51 percent Black-owned, Level 1 B-BBEE company. Under Mzobe’s leadership, it has grown steadily without outside funding, delivering retail developments, project management and turnkey solutions. Completed projects include Jozini Tiger Lodge and Inanda Shopping Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, 1 on Albert in the Western Cape, and Kwabhaca Mall and Bizana Walk in the Eastern Cape. These developments demonstrate the company’s ability to combine commercial viability with community impact.
Managing director Bernadette Mzobe brings more than 23 years of property experience. A former corporate banker, she boasts deep expertise in property finance, mergers and acquisitions, B-BBEE transactions and structured finance with senior roles at Investec, Ithala and Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking. She has held leadership positions on multiple boards including as CEO of a property investment and light-industrial company.
