African Food and Art

This blog explores the wisdom of African proverbs, the depth of folklore, the beauty of art, the stories of history, and the flavors of timeless African food recipes.

Seven Mega Malls of Africa

Shopping at the mall in Africa

Despite having the 12th largest mall in the world, traditional markets are still the prevailing choice for shoppers across the African continent. However, seven super structures shatter the mold of what you think about luxury shopping in Africa.

Airport shopping in Johannesburg South Africa

Seven largest malls in Africa

Seven largest malls in Africa in order are the Mall of Arabia, Morocco Mall, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Cairo Festival City, Stars Centre, Citystars Heliopolis, Canal Walk and Mall of Africa.

 

Mall of Arabia - Cairo, Egypt

Built in the shape of a huge eye, the launch of Africa's largest shopping mall at 9.5 million sq ft, the Mall of Arabia Cairo opened in December of 2010. Mall of Arabia Cairo is located on the outskirts of Cairo featuring a large food court, dancing fountains along with upscale indoor shops and an outdoor market.

Mega Malls of Africa, the largest mall in Africa is Mall of Arabia located in Cairo, Egypt
Mega Malls of Africa, the largest mall in Africa is
Mall of Arabia located in Cairo, Egypt
 

Morocco Mall - Casablanca, Morocco

Morocco Mall is the second largest shopping center in at 2.7 million sq ft and is located in Casablanca, Morocco.  Morocco Mall, which opened on December 1, 2011 featuring a 1 million liter aquarium called Aquadream which contains over 40 different species of fish. Visitors can go scuba diving with a professional instructor inside the aquarium.

 

Gateway Theatre of Shopping - Durban, South Africa

Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban South Africa at 2.4 million sq ft opened in September 2001 and has over 390 stores, 70 places to eat, a helipad, IMAX Theatre , Virgin Active Gym , Wavehouse waterpark , Outdoor Go-Karting , Skatepark , Concert Venue , Hotel and Road Lodge.

Canal Walk has over 400 stores and its very own television channel, CWTV with 2 giant screens and 32 plasma screens. The mall also has the unique Trading Post and Market Lane, which showcases the work of local retailers and craftsmen as well as views of Table Mountain and Robben Island.
Shopping for gifts

Cairo Festival City - New Cairo, Egypt

Cairo Festival City Mall is located in Almaza Al Qahirah Egypt. The Mall extends over 1.7 million sq ft spread on three levels, featuring over 300 shops, 95 restaurants and cafes, anchored by furniture flagship store IKEA, hypermarket Carrefour, and four department stores, Debenhams, H&M, Marks & Spencer and ZARA.

 

Stars Centre, Citystars Heliopolis - Cairo Egypt

Citystars Heliopolis has a total built up area of 8.1 thousand sq ft in the heart of Cairo and consists of Stars Centre, the largest shopping and entertainment center in Egypt. Citystars Heliopolis has over 750 stores over an area of 151,000 square meters.

Mega Malls of Africa, the 7th largest mall is Stars Centre, Citystars Heliopolis in Cairo Egypt
Stars Centre, Citystars Heliopolis - Cairo Egypt

Canal Walk - Cape Town, South Africa

Canal Walk has over 400 stores and its very own television channel, CWTV with 2 giant screens and 32 plasma screens. The mall also has the unique Trading Post and Market Lane, which showcases the work of local retailers and craftsmen as well as views of Table Mountain and Robben Island.  Canal Walk opened in 2000 and was built around a canal. It has a total retail area of 1.5 thousand sq ft.

 

Mall of Africa - South Africa, Midrand

Located in Waterfall City Midrand, Gauteng, Mall of Africa is South Africa's largest shopping Mall ever built in a single phase, with over 1.4 thousand sq ft of retail space, and is home to over 300 shops. Opened in April 2016, Mall of Africa architectural appearance is inspired by Africa’s geological features and iconic landscapes.

The Crystal Court is located in the Northern Section of the mall, representing Southern Africa's mineral wealth with sharp geometric patterns. The Great Lakes Court is located the Eastern Section of the mall, representing the Great Lakes mostly of East Africa and has calm and gentle materials used. 

The Desert Court is located in the Southern Section of the mall, representing the Sahara Desert of North Africa and has calm motifs used in traditional Berber carpets. The Oleum Court is located in the Western Section of the mall, representing West Africa's Oil wealth. The Forest Walk Court is in the center of the shopping mall, representing Central Africa and its rain forests.

Did you Know?
Some African currencies are stronger than others. Alongside Nigeria, South Africa boasts one of the continent’s strongest economies.

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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African Spirit Tree Test

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Africa boasts a remarkable array of unique trees, each showcasing distinct qualities that set it apart, much like the diverse personalities of people. The majestic Baobab, with its thick trunk and expansive canopy, symbolizes wisdom and resilience, while the vibrant Protea embodies courage and boldness with its striking flowers. Which tree do you resonate with? Are you as wise as the ancient Baobab or as daring as the brilliant Protea? Discover your true spirit by taking this engaging quiz designed to match you with an African tree that reflects your personality. Each tree symbolizes unique characteristics and qualities, so dive in to explore the connection between your spirit and these magnificent natural wonders. Get ready for a fun journey of self-discovery. Question 1: How Do You Handle Challenges? A.  You stand firm and face them head-on, using your wisdom. B.  You quietly help others and offer comfort. C.  You adapt quickly and find creative solutions. D.  You ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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