Alida Smit, new general manager at Mall of the North

POLOKWANE – Mall of the North announced the appointment of Alida Smit as the centre’s new general manager as of January 2024.

Sumari de Ridder, the current general manager who has held the position since Mall of the North’s opening 12 years ago, has been promoted to asset manager for Resilient Properties. Sumari’s asset management portfolio will include Mall of the North and thus she will remain closely involved in all aspects of the future planning, management and development of the mall.

Smit is currently the general manager for Tzaneng Mall, Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre and Tzaneen Crossing, and is known to many local retailers as she held the position at Mall of the North initially as debtor administrator and later accountant, for the five years following the opening of the mall and prior to moving to Tzaneen.

Suzan Temple has been appointed as head of retail for Resilient Properties effective January 2024, and her current position of asset manager will become De Ridder’s responsibility.

Says De Ridder: “We congratulate Alida on her appointment as the new GM of Mall of the North, and we are confident our various promotions and appointments will retain a vast collective experience and skills base, all of which can only benefit the mall. We look forward to welcoming Alida back to the formidable Mall of the North family.”