The Walmart opening at Roodepoort’s Clearwater Mall on 22 November 2025 was met with pure excitement — from shoppers rushing through the doors to TikTokkers, Instagrammers, and Facebook commenters who were absolutely buzzing. The welcome has been warm, enthusiastic, and a little nostalgic.
A big part of the hype is Walmart’s range: different, fresh, and full of surprises. The candy aisles alone have set half of South Africa alight. I’m already planning my first visit just to dig through sweets I haven’t seen since the 1970s — and I’m sure there will be many I’ve never even heard of. But that’s the beauty of Walmart: everyone has their own reason to be excited.
Even Capetonians I spoke to were thrilled, hoping their turn isn’t far off. The children especially want to know when Cape Town will get its own branch — perhaps somewhere around Century City.
What makes this moment historic is simple: Walmart has finally arrived in South Africa — and they kept their promise to open in 2025. And what a location to choose. Clearwater Mall is spacious, modern, and beautifully maintained. Roodepoort may be one of Johannesburg’s older suburbs, but it still has that unique, friendly energy that people from Johannesburg recognise instantly.
My personal interest in Walmart goes back to reading Sam Walton’s book Made in America years ago. His philosophy of “everyday low prices” wasn’t just talk — it shaped a global retail giant. Judging from the opening-day videos, Walmart South Africa seems determined to stick to that mission.
Two TikTok creators deserve a special mention because their opening-day videos truly show just how impressive the new Walmart is:
• Shan (@shaneyvije) – A fantastic walkthrough of the store that exploded in popularity with over 29K likes.
• Kevin (@kevinmclennanza) – A dynamic first-look video where he invites viewers to ask questions about Walmart’s arrival.
Both videos highlight the store’s huge range, modern layout, and — importantly — the everyday low prices that Walmart is famous for.
What people are saying online
From TikTok to Facebook, shoppers were ecstatic:
1. Shan (@shaneyvije):
“Finally, Walmart is here! Can’t wait to check out the deals and fresh groceries. This is a game-changer for us in Jo’burg!”
2. Facebook commenter:
“Big news for shoppers! Walmart opening in Roodepoort means more affordable options and variety.”
3. Another Facebook user:
“Excited about Walmart opening close to home. This will seriously shake up the local market and give Makro some competition.”
Across social media and the news, the message is clear: South Africans are ready for Walmart. They’re excited about the prices, the range, the convenience, and the fresh energy that comes with a new retail competitor.
Whether you’re going for groceries, homeware, tech, fashion, or — like me — diving into those legendary candy aisles, Walmart’s arrival marks a vibrant new chapter in South African shopping.
