Leading with purpose
Mandy Bellamy’s 25‑year career in retail property reflects a commitment to leadership, sustainability and community. As General Manager at Canal Walk in Century City, Cape Town, she embraces the challenge of helping advance an iconic precinct.
Q: Twenty-five years is a remarkable journey, and your move from Somerset Mall to Canal Walk feels like a significant new chapter. What has shaped you most as a leader, and what excited you about taking on a shopping centre as iconic as Canal Walk?
Mandy Bellamy (MB): I’ve come to appreciate that while we manage shopping centres, we’re really in the business of people. Strong relationships create trust, trust creates energy, and energy creates opportunity. When you have the right culture, aligned teams and a shared sense of purpose, you’re in a stronger position to achieve the outcomes you’re aiming for. Joining Canal Walk felt like a natural next chapter. As General Manager at the Western Cape’s only super-regional shopping centre, welcoming more than 19.2 million visitors annually, I have the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team and contribute to one of South Africa’s leading mixed-use precincts.
Q: Canal Walk holds a prestigious 5-Star Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) rating. What does that achievement mean to you, and what does it say about the people and operations working behind the scenes to make it possible?
MB: The 5-Star Green Star EBP rating reflects Canal Walk’s long-term commitment to operating responsibly and maintaining consistently high standards. It isn’t the result of a single initiative, but of the way the centre is managed every day. It also reflects the commitment and collaboration of the many teams working behind the scenes. From energy, water and waste management to the countless operational decisions made every day, maintaining these standards requires everyone working towards the same goal. That commitment continues as Canal Walk embarks on a significant solar PV project, strengthening our energy resilience and building on the strong sustainability foundation already in place.
Q: Century City is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading smart, sustainable city-within-a-city developments. How do you see Canal Walk’s role in actively contributing to and championing that broader vision?
MB: Canal Walk is the heart of the Century City ecosystem, and with that comes both opportunity and responsibility. Our role extends beyond the shopping centre itself. It’s about creating experiences, strengthening connections and contributing to a precinct where people live, work, learn and spend their leisure time. We’re continually investing in infrastructure that improves accessibility and connectivity across the precinct. This year, the new Otter pedestrian bridge linking to Century City will open by the end of July, while the Crystal Tower pedestrian bridge extension, which provides direct access to Canal Walk’s entrance 12, will be completed later in the year. Together, these projects will strengthen the integration of Canal Walk within the broader precinct, improving accessibility and making it easier for people to move between the precinct’s different areas. For me, great precincts are built on connection. When people can move easily, spend time together and enjoy shared spaces, communities become stronger. Canal Walk is proud to play its part in helping shape a precinct that continues to evolve while remaining connected to the people it serves.
Q: What advice would you give to women who aim to build careers in property, facilities management or the built environment – and what do you hope your own career demonstrates to them?
MB: Stay curious and be open to opportunities. Get out of your own way. Growth often happens when you take on opportunities that stretch you and you’ll often surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
If there’s one thing I hope my career demonstrates, it’s that leadership is about thinking beyond today. It’s about future-proofing the business by developing and preparing its people for the opportunities of tomorrow. Over the years, I’ve found myself naturally looking for strengths and potential in others, often before they recognise it themselves. Being able to help build that confidence, create opportunities and see that potential realised has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Growth is important in every aspect of life. The same is true in business. When individuals continue to grow, teams become stronger, organisations become more resilient, and everyone is better prepared for the future.
