Questions and answers that will tickle your fancy about the new Standerton Mall

The Standerton Advertiser directed questions to the Project Manager of Black Pearl Projects, Mr Mario Dias, who is in charge of the project of Sky Village Properties.

His response was as follows:

1. What is the Lekwa Municipality’s involvement in the mall?

This is a shared vision between Lekwa Municipality and the developer. Sky Village Properties, in a like-minded, combined effort to uplift and kick-start the town of Standerton and thereby create jobs, reduce poverty, collect rates and taxes to be used on old and obsolete infrastructure and much more.

The council, led by the executive mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini, provides the necessary support and structures to allow this opportunity for the community.

They do not have a direct financial input into the development.

All expenditure in terms of the development such as road upgrades, storm water systems and other services are borne by the developer.

It therefore does not place any financial burden on the municipality.

2. Will the advertisement of the job opportunities be done locally, or be handled by the shops (franchises)?

A programme or process to address the format of this activity is being drafted and will be implemented in a manner that will maximise the local community’s job opportunities.

We will actively engage with our tenants in this modus operandi.

3. What will the procedure be of applying for positions at the Standerton Mall?

This will be put out once we have formalised and finalised the process.

Our initial thought is to provide on site a local community liaison operation, thereby creating a database of all applications, newspaper advertising, inviting applications etc.

This will all be done in close conjunction with the applicable contractors and tenants.

4. Will the mall be one level or more than one level with sufficient parking?

Due to the sloping nature of the site, part of it will have to be two levels, but for the most part, one level.

More than sufficient parking will be allocated and provided in line with the retail industry parking requirements.

A portion will be free undercover parking that will be appreciated in inclement weather.

5. Regarding the shops and entertainment, is it possible that you can give a list of the shops, as well as entertainment such as cinemas etc.

This is not possible at this stage as the tenant-mix is in the early stages of definition and getting the right mix is crucial.

It is important however, that the mall caters for a high level of national brand tenants, which will bring market strength to their products.

They also bring a huge number of systems and skills that can be transferred to the local job market.

Cinemas are under consideration by one the leading cinema groups, but is dependent on their market research and demand, which we await,

Cinemas however, are a challenge in terms of their structure.

6. On the point of security, will it be the mall management’s responsibility to provide security within the mall and parking area, if not, who is responsible?

The developer will provide – This is another job creation opportunity

7. Will Sky Village Properties play a big role in the community as the presentation indicates with infrastructure involvement such as social upliftment initiatives, pothole rehabilitation, resource contribution to infrastructure, repair assistance and community projects?

It is our intention to involve all the contractors and suppliers so that each one makes a specific contribution in their field of expertise.

We already have a very specific idea/ideas of what and how to do it, but yes, we play a big role.

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