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Key Points
- Vukile Property Fund completed a R141 million ($7.5 million) upgrade of Bedworth Center, enhancing retail and community services in Vereeniging.
- The upgrade, anchored by Shoprite and Boxer, introduces a vibrant retail mix, improved security, and a new SARS service center.
- CEO Laurence Rapp emphasizes Vukile’s mission to uplift communities, with a R40 billion ($2.11 billion) portfolio spanning South Africa and Spain.
Vukile Property Fund Limited, the Johannesburg-listed retail REIT led by South African executive Laurence Rapp, has wrapped up a R141 million ($7.5 million) upgrade of the Bedworth Center in Vereeniging, turning the local mall into a vibrant, high-convenience shopping and community destination.
The upgrade is part of Vukile’s ongoing effort to invest with real purpose, shaping spaces that are built around the people who use them every day. The company has made it clear that its focus is not just on numbers, but on creating lasting value in township and urban communities across South Africa.
A new chapter for Bedworth Center
The redevelopment marks a big step forward for Bedworth Park and surrounding areas. Ideally positioned near the Vaal University of Technology and North-West University’s Vaal Campus, Bedworth Center now caters to a wide and growing community, including residents from Sharpeville, Bopelong, and neighboring suburbs.
The center is now anchored by major retailers like Shoprite and Boxer, and offers a fresh mix of tenants that blend everyday essentials with national and local favorites. New additions include Hungry Lion, Big Joe’s Pies, Pep Home, Factory 88, and OK Furniture. One standout feature is Pepkor’s Home.Tech.Sleep concept store—only the second of its kind in South Africa, bringing homeware, tech, and sleep solutions together under one roof across a 1,570 square meter space.
But the improvements go beyond new shops. With better access, tighter security, and the addition of a SARS Client Service Center right by the main parking lot, Bedworth Center has evolved into much more than just a place to shop—it’s a central resource for the whole community.
Speaking at the launch, Vukile CEO Laurence Rapp said, “This is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about giving people dignity, better access to services, and real opportunities. When we invest, we do so with intent, because we believe retail spaces should uplift and connect the communities they serve.”
Laurence Rapp: Building with purpose
Since taking the helm, Laurence Rapp has helped Vukile build a strong footprint both at home and abroad. The company now manages a R40 billion ($2.11 billion) portfolio across South Africa and Spain, where its Madrid-listed subsidiary, Castellana Properties, holds a significant share of the market.
At the heart of Vukile’s success is its commitment to understanding the communities around its properties. Through local insight and smart data analysis, Vukile is able to create centers that aren’t just convenient, but meaningful, places that fit the lives and needs of the people they serve.
The revamped Bedworth Center officially opened its doors in April 2025, and more is still to come. New retailers, including Sportscene, Cash Crusaders, Kreme Beauty Lounge, Home Décor Villa, and Shoprite and Boxer Liquor stores, are set to open soon, adding even more life and energy to this growing community hub.
