One of the country’s biggest film exhibitors, Ster-Kinekor has once again suffered a heavy blow, this comes after the company announced that its cinema located in Gateway mall will soon be closing.
This is just one of several setbacks that the company has faced in recent years. This comes after the company previously considered closing nine of its branches in 2024. This would have ultimately meant that an approximate 220 workers would have been retrenched.
Fortunately, this turned out not be necessary as ENCA reported that only 60 jobs have been cut with two of its branches being closed, thanks to discussions with landlords and distributors about restructuring operations as well as some cost-cutting measures implemented.
Meanwhile, speaking on the current departure from one of Durban’s biggest malls, Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer of Ster-Kinekor highlighted that the recent closure of the Gateway cinema was not initiated by Ster-Kinekor.
“We can confirm that we have concluded operations at Gateway Theatre of Shopping cinema complex, with the final trading day on 08 May 2025. While the decision to close the site was not initiated by Ster-Kinekor, we part ways with Gateway on good terms and with mutual respect. We are proud to have been part of the centre’s entertainment offering and are grateful for the positive relationship we’ve enjoyed over the years,” she said in conversation with Northglen News.
While the company is now on a mission to find a new location, the management of Gateway Mall has since revealed that the vacant premises will soon be replaced with a new cinema.
Since the beginning of the cinema’s financial dilemmas many have credited their setbacks to the overpriced ticket and beverage prices as well as the rise of modern streaming services.
Last year one person wrote:
Someone once tweeted that for this company to survive in the modern era of Netflix and other streaming platforms, it just needs to broadcast live sports and allow alcohol inside. I bet they took the advice???
— MR. MASHININI (@Mashiinini) June 4, 2024
Another added:
Someone once tweeted that for this company to survive in the modern era of Netflix and other streaming platforms, it just needs to broadcast live sports and allow alcohol inside. I bet they took the advice???
— MR. MASHININI (@Mashiinini) June 4, 2024
Meanwhile, those residing in the surrounding areas of Gateway Mall have expressed that they are saddened by the recent decision.
I woke up to the sad news that my local and childhood cinema, Ster Kinekor at Gateway, has shut down ? it is literally my favourite place to go to, and now I won’t be able to watch IMAX movies since it was the only one in my province. I kinda knew it would but not this soon ? pic.twitter.com/9eIe3XOExz
— Alec Samuel | That Freakin Geek (@Alecsamuel) May 9, 2025
Also see: Ster-Kinekor tries a new strategy to entertain viewers
