Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor, Counsellor Mondli Gungubele, attended the event to mark the start of the building process.

The 25 000m2 strategically located retail development, to be known as Mayfield Square, will be substantially larger than any other retail offering in Daveyton and will service the surrounding suburbs and Benoni.

Mayfield Square will be anchored by Pick 'n Pay and Shoprite. Other tenants include the Edcon Group, Truworths Group, Foschini Group, Ackermans, Pep, Morkels, Clicks, Barnetts and Ellerines, with Nedbank, Capitec Bank and African Bank also represented. A centrally located food court will connect the main shopping and recreational areas.

Darryl Mayers, head of Investec Property's retail division, said: "Investec Property continues to focus on connecting communities to major retailers in areas where there is strong demand from both Mogadi Properties, the joint leasing agents with Investec Property, organised the sod-turning ceremony and engaged with all the local businesses to provide catering and other services to ensure the event was a success."

The Ekurhuleni Municipality was instrumental in assisting Investec Property to get the project off the ground. Other dignitaries from the Ekurhuleni Municipality who attended the event include the HOD of Planning and Economic Development, Oupa Nkaone and Director Ivan Kudungure.

Investec Property expects the centre to be open for trading in 2014.