The company taking over South African shopping malls

Most South Africans are well aware of the frustration associated with parking at shopping centres. Tickets stop working randomly, terminals refuse to take payment, and getting help can be confusing and slow.

For customers who realise that a pay station only takes cash or, worse yet, that they have lost their ticket, the process is even more infuriating, and expensive.

However, things are starting to change. Those who have visited a mall in South Africa have likely seen a bright yellow sign above the ticket pay station’s machine advertising ticketless parking through admyt.

The admyt platform works simply. “Customers start by registering their vehicle and payment details on the admyt app,” admyt CEO Kfir Rusin told Daily Investor.

“Once set up, they can simply drive in and out of any participating location – no tickets, no cash, no queues at pay stations.”

Their license plate is automatically recognised, and triggers the boom or gate to open. If it’s paid parking, the fee is charged instantly to their linked card or wallet.

“For tenants, visitors, or pre-booked users, access is granted automatically without the need for access cards or tags,” Rusin said.

Afterwards, customers receive an email receipt from admyt, noting the times they entered and left the parking lot, and the amount they paid. Customers can also track their payments and parking history on the admyt app.

Rusin explained that the platform works by using advanced License Plate Recognition technology to read number plates at entry and exit points.

“Our platform then validates the user and triggers the boom gate or access control system. If it’s a paid parking scenario, the system automatically processes payment,” he said.

“If it’s a tenant, visitor, or pre-booking, the platform simply grants access. All of this happens in real time, without friction.”

Taking South Africa by storm

According to Rusin, the idea behind admyt comes from recognising the frustration on both sides of the equation.

For users, this frustration came from dealing with tickets, cash, or complicated access systems. At the same time, landlords were dealing with the inefficiencies and costs of running traditional parking.

“We saw an opportunity to simplify parking and create a better, ‘windows up’, customer experience,” he explained.

Since the company launched in 2016, it has grown to 450,000 registered vehicles and over 80 locations across South Africa.

Many of South Africa’s biggest malls, including Mall of Africa, the V&A Waterfront and Fourways Mall, have adopted the platform.

It is also available in hotels, residential buildings, and office spaces, such as Sandton Hotel, the Leonardo, and Rosebank Towers.

Rusin said that admyt’s rapid growth was driven by two things: network and experience. “From day one, we’ve focused on building a strong network of strategic locations while ensuring the experience is as seamless as possible,” he said.

“Once people try it, they immediately feel the convenience and the more places it’s available, the faster adoption grows.”

Going forward, Rusin explained that admyt is evolving into a broader platform that connects landlords, retailers, tenants, and shoppers into one ecosystem through parking.

“Our roadmap is about expanding into more locations, integrating more partners, and unlocking new value for everyone in the ecosystem-whether that’s through validations, rewards, loyalty, or seamless access,” he said.

“Parking is often the first and last touchpoint of any shopping or tenant experience,” he added. “By making that experience effortless, we’re not just transforming parking – we’re reshaping how people connect with the places they live, work, and shop.”

Issued on Daily Investor by Kirsten Minnaar | https://dailyinvestor.com/business/99104/the-company-taking-over-south-african-shopping-malls/