New shopping destination promotes sustainability

Motorists driving along Hendrik Potgieter Road on their daily commute to and from work had the privilege to witness the journey of one of the area’s newest shopping centres during the course of the past two years.

Kwena Square Shopping centre was officially launched on June 29 and welcomed patrons for the first time on June 30. Shoppers at this centre are promised a shopping experience with a difference, as Kwena is not only focused on community and convenience, but also showcases the abundant natural beauty and vibrancy of the area, is environmentally friendly, and promotes sustainability with the array of rooftop solar panels that generate almost 40% of the electricity needed by the centre.

During the build-up to the launch, a community-driven project was launched to find a local artist to develop and design the benches and dustbins to accentuate the mall’s aesthetics as well as to portray the theme of the Square.

The winning artist, Siviwe Jali, was also in attendance during the launch and had the honour and pleasure to have his bench formally unveiled by the Honourable Mayor for the City of Johannesburg, Dr Mpho Phalatse.

The Mayor said the following during her speech, “It is a pleasure to be opening a mall, as a point when Covid-19 regulations have been repealed signalling that Johannesburg is once again open for business. I am inspired to hear that Kwena Square has employed rooftop solar panels that will generate as much as 40% of the electricity required by the centre, a key feature which will reduce the load on the main grid. Local economies must be supported. In ongoing efforts to support local business at Kwena Square, homegrown artists were commissioned to design and manufacture the centre’s bespoke benches locally. Kwena Square saw this as an opportunity to empower local, upcoming business and make a measurable difference to artists wanting to further their career within the industry. In closing, Kwena Square stands as an investment in the City and the surrounding community.”

Leon Kok, the COO of Redefine Properties said the centre came as as demand for convenience shopping rose. “Kwena Square entrenches the trend we first identified on the re-emergence of convenience centres, a shopping format most favoured during the pandemic for its ease of use and open ventilation enhancing safety. A convenience centre like Kwena Square addresses changing shopping habits and is positioned to efficiently meet evolving demands of shoppers.”