Competition Commission Greenlights Sale of Gqeberha’s Iconic Bridge Shopping Centre

Capelink Investments to acquire The Bridge Shopping Centre in Gqeberha following Competition Commission approval, consolidating its retail property portfolio.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 4:12 AM EST

Source: BusinessTech

The Acquisition and Regulatory Clearance

Capelink Investments, a subsidiary of Mantz Holdings Proprietary Limited, has successfully secured regulatory approval to acquire The Bridge Shopping Centre. The Competition Commission’s review concluded that the merger is unlikely to stifle competition within the local retail sector or negatively impact public interest. The mall is being offloaded by a group of prominent institutional investors, including Acucap Investments, the Phumula Retirement Fund, and the Municipal Employees Pension Fund. This move represents a significant change in ownership for one of the Eastern Cape’s most recognizable commercial landmarks.

A Unique Architectural and Retail Footprint

Named for its distinctive structural design, The Bridge is literally constructed over CJ Langenhoven Drive. While classified as a minor regional center, its strategic value is amplified by its physical connection to the sprawling Greenacres Shopping Centre. Together with other major retail entities in the immediate vicinity, they form a massive 90,000-square-metre shopping precinct. Although the various components of this retail node are owned by different entities—with the neighboring Greenacres currently under Growthpoint Properties—the seamless integration between them creates a unified "super-hub" for shoppers in the Gqeberha metro.

Strategic Rationale and Portfolio Consolidation

For Capelink Investments, the acquisition is a calculated expansion of its existing footprint in the region. The group already manages several high-value assets nearby, including the Dischem Building—located less than two kilometers from the mall—and the Kwanobuhle Shopping Centre. By adding The Bridge to its portfolio, Capelink secures a stake in a high-traffic retail corridor that has seen consistent development since the early 1980s. This acquisition allows the group to benefit from the established footfall of the Greenacres node while managing a standalone asset with unique visibility.