“When Leaping Frog Shopping Centre reopened last year after undergoing renovations, they made promises that they couldn’t deliver.” This is according to Tanya Ritchie, who voiced her concerns about the centre’s accessibility for disabled visitors.

Ritchie, who has a mother using a wheelchair, was so excited to learn that the shopping centre will also cater for people with disabilities, however, her bubble was burst when Ritchie and her mother got to the centre, only to be met by a lot of staircases and narrow parking.

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She said, since the centres major renovation last year, the newly reopened Leaping Frog Shopping Centre has been praised for its modern upgrades. However, for her and her mother, it was a challenging experience during their recent visit.

She explained that the centre lacks ramps at entrances, making it extremely difficult for wheelchair users to access the premises. “We parked in the disabled bay, but it was so narrow I couldn’t open the door fully, or get her wheelchair out comfortably. The pavement had a dustbin blocking part of the walkway, and there were steep curbs at the road. We had to call centre management for assistance.” Once inside, she also encountered inaccessible shops and steep stairs that hindered her mother’s movement.

Ritchie expressed frustration that her concerns have gone unanswered, despite multiple attempts to contact the architects responsible for the redesign. “Once in a wheelchair, you’re invisible. It feels like no one thought about accessibility, beyond the basics.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth Tanya Ritchie shares her difficult experience navigating Leaping Frog Shopping Centre’s inaccessible entrances and parking, highlighting ongoing challenges for disabled visitors. #Fourways #Leapingfrog ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

In response, Jacques Erasmus, head of projects at Abcon Developments, acknowledged the challenges. He stated that while efforts have been made, such as installing ramps and widening disabled bays, some issues remain, due to structural constraints. “We continue to monitor accessibility closely and remain committed to progressive improvements, with further measures planned as part of upcoming maintenance and upgrade cycles.

“We remain committed to continuous improvement and welcome further engagement with residents, and disability advocacy groups, to ensure accessibility needs are met.”

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