The system of institutionalised apartheid during the mid and latter part of the 20th century led to high levels of inequitable real estate and infrastructural development in areas that were inhabited by black residents in South Africa. One of the consequences of this was that the amount of money that was invested in real estate development by the private sector was both, in relative and absolute terms, less than that spent in areas inhabited by white people. There have been significant increases in real estate development over the last 20 years in the former black townships, like Soweto, with the advent of a free and fair democratic system in South Africa. It is estimated that there are some three million people living in Soweto and hence there are significant opportunities for developers of all types of real estate in such areas.Developers, retailers and consumers were surveyed to assess their views regarding the critical success factors that need to be considered when developing a sub-regional shopping centre in a former black township, like Soweto in Johannesburg. This was done in order to determine whether or not the critical success factors that ensure the success of a sub-regional shopping centre in an area like Soweto are different to the factors highlighted in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to:•Consider the relevant literature, in an international context, regarding the critical success factors that need to be considered when developing a sub-regional shopping centre; •Consider whether or not these critical success factors are different when developing a sub-regional shopping centre in a former black township, like Soweto, Johannesburg;•Share the results of research conducted with various developers, retailers and consumers;•Suggest what the critical success factors are when developing a sub-regional shopping center in a former black township, like Soweto, Johannesburg and whether or not these differ from the critical success factors identified in the international literature.