Resurrection of Pan Mall in Alexandra ‘still work in progress’
Residents of Alexandra have expressed their desire and eagerness for ‘a sooner than later’ return to business of the Pan Africa Shopping Centre and its other Pan precincts which were destroyed during the July unrest and looting spree.
Four months down the line, the shopping centre is still closed for business and when contacted by Alex News for the latest update on the resurrection of the mall, the centre’s operations manager Alton Werrett could only say ‘work was still in progress’ and would not want to elaborate any further.
But Alex residents said they could no longer stomach a prolonged return of their favourite shopping centre as they miss their hot bread, which was one of the best-selling commodities from the variety of tenants that traded in the centre since it opened its doors in 2009.
Community builder and Ward 75 independent candidate in the upcoming November 1 Local Government Elections, Nkele Galedzana, one of the brains behind the clean-up at the mall soon after the looting mayhem, said the community benefitted immensely from the mall and cannot wait any longer for the reopening.
“We cannot wait for the reopening so that those who lost their jobs as a result of the looting, may probably get their jobs back in order to start providing for their families like before. The mall was a source of income for many as one person employed supported a household of close to 10 people, if not more.
“The reason for us standing up to co-ordinate the community of Alexandra after the looting was to send a message to the mall owners about the importance of the mall to us as residents. The mall fed so many families through employment which is one of the critical aspects we have been fighting but through the looting, we have witnessed many losing their jobs, an increase in hunger and an alarming rise in crime,” Galedzana said.
Another community builder and philanthropist Patrick Baloyi described Pan and the Pan Africa Shopping Centre as the ‘economic heartbeat of Alexandra that cannot be allowed to stop beating’. “The mall served as a booster to the township economy and provided livelihoods for many. We all support its re-emergence to once again play its role in the economic life of the iconic township.”
Sentiments expressed above were also echoed by Alex historian Thabo Mopasi and community worker and arts creative Hlehle Ngubane. “I was saddened by the destruction of the mall by looters as it used to provide an essential service to both young and old people in the township,” Mopasi said.
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