In a time when streaming giants have become our go-to for movie nights, another big-screen experience has quietly come to an end.
Ster-Kinekor, once a dominant force in South Africa’s cinema landscape, has shut the doors of its cinema at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban.
The last screening took place on 8 May 2025—without much fanfare, marking yet another quiet goodbye for the chain.
Second Shutdown in 2025 Sparks More Questions
This marks the second time this year that Ster-Kinekor has closed a cinema without much noise.
Earlier in 2025, its Bedford Square location in Bedfordview was also closed and later scooped up by competitor Nu Metro.
Now, there’s speculation that Nu Metro may also be stepping in at Gateway, but neither company has confirmed or denied the rumors.
Interestingly, Ster-Kinekor made it clear that this particular closure wasn’t their decision.
While keeping the details vague, they did hint at a disagreement or decision made by Gateway management.
“We part ways with Gateway on good terms and with mutual respect,” a spokesperson told MyBroadband.
Bigger Picture: A Business Under Strain
The closure at Gateway ties back to Ster-Kinekor’s broader restructuring plan announced in 2024.
The company has been trying to steady the ship amid mounting financial pressure.
South Africa’s harsh economic climate, ongoing load-shedding, and disruptions from Hollywood’s delayed blockbuster releases have all taken a toll.
When they laid out the plan last year, Ster-Kinekor said up to nine cinemas could face closure and more than 230 staff members might be retrenched.
Thankfully, the situation didn’t turn out quite that bad on paper—only two cinemas were officially closed, and 52 employees, mostly at head office, were let go.
Still, the quiet closures at Gateway and Bedfordview suggest that more cuts may be happening behind the scenes.
New Openings Still on the Horizon
Despite these setbacks, Ster-Kinekor isn’t waving the white flag just yet.
The company says it remains committed to growth and reinvention.
Talks are already underway for three brand-new cinema sites, and the team believes these new venues might actually attract more visitors than Gateway ever did.
CEO Mark Sardi previously mentioned that Ster-Kinekor is rethinking its business model.
Instead of traditional cinemas, they’re exploring hybrid concepts that could combine entertainment, education, and community use—all in partnership with landlords who are also feeling the squeeze from a changing market.
What’s Next for South African Moviegoers?
With closures on one hand and ambitious new plans on the other, Ster-Kinekor seems to be in a period of transformation.
For now, though, the closure of the Gateway location feels like the end of an era for Durban movie fans.
When was the last time you caught a film at a Ster-Kinekor cinema? Share your memories with us—we’d love to hear them.