Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says a Muslim institution could become the proposed buyer of the Good Hope Centre after the highest bidder reportedly failed to pay.
However, the City of Cape Town has not confirmed the institution’s identity or approved the Good Hope Centre sale. It says an external due-diligence process remains under consideration.
Mosque Submitted Second-Highest Bid
During a live Radio 786 interview, Hill-Lewis said the first bidder had offered R135 million but could not provide the money it claimed to have.
He said the property would therefore move to the second-highest bidder, which he described as a mosque or Muslim institution. That organisation reportedly offered R130 million, R5 million below the church’s bid.
“The first highest bidder was a church, the second highest bidder was a mosque,” Hill-Lewis said during the interview.
Spirit Revelation Ecclesia, led by Pastor John Anosike, announced in March that it had acquired the landmark following the municipal auction. Church leaders said they planned to use it for services, conferences and large gatherings.
However, the City said shortly afterwards that no bids had been formally accepted. Officials began checking bidders’ tax, ownership, financial and risk compliance before sending qualifying bids through municipal approval structures.
Good Hope Centre Sale Not Finalised
The City has now said it is considering the outcome of an external due-diligence process into the bidding procedure.
“A full report will serve before the relevant Council structure in due course,” the municipality said. It added that it could not disclose further bidder or process details while the matter remained under consideration.
Therefore, the R130 million bid does not yet amount to a completed Good Hope Centre sale. Final approval and the conditions attached to any agreement remain unclear.
Hill-Lewis also said the proposed development would include affordable accommodation. However, the City’s original redevelopment framework did not require affordable housing on the site. It instead allowed residential, commercial and cultural development under the property’s mixed-use zoning.
Heritage and Housing Concerns Continue
The City Council approved the precinct’s release in principle on 4 December 2025. The City said private investment would fund restoration while preserving the centre’s dome and other heritage features.
Housing activists and political parties have opposed the disposal, arguing that well-located municipal land should help address housing needs. The Western Cape High Court previously dismissed an urgent attempt to stop the wider auction.
GOOD Party secretary-general Brett Herron said the party could seek legal advice if the City proceeds with the transaction under the existing bid documents.