Grand opening, grand damage at Ballito Junction

The R1.6 billion Ballito Junction regional mall’s grand opening last Thursday came with a mix of emotions and bitter-sweet moments.

Almost 250 000 people have streamed in to get a first look at the mall and its opening specials in the first four days.

But while some staff sang and danced with joy, outside was absolute chaos when about 7 000 disgruntled ANC Youth League protesters stormed the Junction parking area, causing about R500 000 worth of damage.

As the staff of Checkers spontaneously broke into Nkosi Sikelel iAfrica, the marchers accused the developers of not providing jobs for KwaDukuza youth and handed over a memorandum of demands to mall management.

The developers have said that more than 3 000 jobs were created during construction and 1500 permanent jobs since.

Despite intense heat on the day, unemployed from all over the Ilembe region marched to Ballito to demand jobs.

Although more than 150 police and security personnel were present, boom gates and other electronic devices were damaged by the huge crowd that stormed the mall parking area as others threw stones at security cameras and police.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson Vinny Pillay said the ANCYL had been told not to enter Junction property and that the memorandum was to be handed over outside the property.

“When the ANCYL applied for permission to stage a mass march it was agreed that it would be peaceful. The ANCYL breached their agreement with the police. We are now looking at security footage of those who entered the mall before we make arrests,” he said.

A 22-year-old mother of two, Synthia Mntungwa who was part of the march said she had been unemployed for three years.

“The ANCYL are the only ones who fight for us. If we do not protest, would people even know we have problems or that we even exist? I do not mind cleaning the toilets, I just want a job.” Another Groutville resident, Sandile Ndebele, said he completed matric last year but could not find a job.

“I was excited when I heard that a mall was opening in Ballito. I thought that such a big mall would mean more jobs.

“I read in the newspaper that KwaDukuza residents will get preference and I thought my chances were good. I do not know of anyone in my area who even got called in for an interview.”

ANCYL regional secretary Musa Zondi said the league had met Ballito Junction management about a month ago but that nothing had been resolved.

“I do not know of one young person from KwaDukuza who was given a job. During the meeting the management told us that they did provide many jobs in KwaDukuza.

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When we asked what those jobs were, they mentioned that taxi drivers get more income because there are more passengers. Is that what they meant by the 1 500 jobs that would be created? It is not right.” Zondi admitted that the march got out of hand but said he was not aware of damage to the mall.

“The ANCYL promised that there would be about 8 000 marchers but there were more.

“The people just kept coming, even when the memorandum was being handed in. According to the buses there were more than 17 000 people at the end. Not all those people are members of the ANCYL. Some of them came with their own agenda.”

The league has given the mall management 14 days to respond to their demands which include: KwaDukuza youth be given first preference in employment, that people who were historically disadvantaged are prioritized in allocation of ownership of shops, that emerging local business people are afforded the opportunity to partner with well established businesses, that there be local beneficiaries on the supply of goods and services and that the management and all businesses in the mall pay better salaries to young people.

Responding on behalf of Junction management, Marketing Concepts managing director Kathryn Payton said management and co-owners were looking through the ANCYL’s demands and would respond appropriately.

Despite the scenes outside, Game and many other stores were inundated with shoppers taking advantage of their opening specials.

Mall CEO Geraldine Jorgenson said that more than 250 000 people visited the mall over the first four days.

“Thank you to each of you for your wonderful comments and praise, thank you – we are thrilled that you are thrilled. And for those who gave us thoughtful and pertinent criticisms – thank you. We take your comments to heart and take action,” said Jorgenson.

“And thank you to our fabulous tenants for producing world class shopping for us all.”

Mayor Ricardo Mthembu, deputy mayor Dolly Govender and minister of public administration Ngoako Ramatlhodi had the honour of cutting the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

“We welcome this new development in KwaDukuza and the economic growth that will come with it,” said Mthembu.

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