Vodacom building reopens in Century City

Vodacom South Africa has officially reopened its regional headquarters at Century City, nearly two years after a fire on July 9, 2023, severely damaged the premises.

The fire, caused by an electrical fault, was not linked to the building’s solar panel installation, which was offline at the time – contrary to some earlier reports (“Solar panels ruled out as cause of fire – Vodacom,” Tabletalk, July 12, 2023).

Thanks to the swift response of the City of Cape Town’s emergency services, the fire was contained without injury. 

Speaking at the ribbon cutting event at the building last Wednesday, May 21, Sitho Mdlalose, CEO of Vodacom South Africa, said: “The reopening of Century City is more than just returning to a building – it’s a testament to resilience, partnership, and purpose. From the swift response of the City of Cape Town’s emergency services to the collaborative effort that rebuilt this space, we’ve seen the power of unity in action. This facility now stands as a symbol of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community empowerment. We are proud to continue our journey alongside the City, using technology to connect people, uplift communities, and build a better future for all.”

He added that the fully refurbished office features a new four-level cascading terrace replacing the original water feature, a functional atrium, and upgraded seating with integrated power points for flexible working. Refurbished gym facilities with new equipment enhance employee wellness, and accessibility features have been designed for all employees.

According to a statement sent by Vodacom, the building originally rated 5-Star by the Green Building Council of South Africa, has been re-registered with the goal of achieving a 6-Star rating, thanks to the sustainable construction materials and processes used during the rebuild.

Carol Hall,  Managing Executive: Vodacom Western Region was among the keynote speakers at the event. She said while the physical structure suffered significant damage, the spirit of Vodacom – rooted in resilience, innovation, and collaboration – never wavered.

“Rebuilding the offices has not been without its challenges, but we are reminded that in adversity there is opportunity to reaffirm what we stand for as a company. Damage to walls and wires could never erode our commitment to our customers, and the foundation of Vodacom has always been our people,” she said.

During the reconstruction, staff were accommodated in temporary facilities just a kilometre away, as well as at other Vodacom offices in Bellville and Cape Town’s CBD. 

“We are extremely excited to welcome back our Century City workforce, who have been patient while we completed reconstruction and ensured their safety since the event. The refurbishment has been specially designed to offer them more amenities within a state-of-the-art, sustainably conscious facility. We also look forward to sharing this space with local communities and businesses, such as SMEs, with opportunities to host interactive sessions at the offices as part of our purpose to empower people through technology,” said Ms Hall.

Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde, and Mayor of Cape Town Geordin Hill-Lewis, also attended the event