eKhaya Mall is expected to operational by October 2020
"Townships should be developed and its economy must be taken serious. This is not about my family, but about the people of eMbalenhle. The mall will create many jobs for locals and local entrepreneurs will also benefit."
eMBALENHLE – Shoppers can look forward to a brand new mall set to introduce its first phase in October 2020.
The new eKhaya Mall is co-owned by S-Identity Holdings, Cashbuild South Africa and Nomatiki Trading Enterprise.
The investors had their sod-turning ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the bulk earthworks on the new development on Thursday, 3 October.
It is located at the busy intersection of the R580 and the R546, at the entrance to eMbalenhle.
The intention is to construct the shopping centre in three phases.
The first phase will take up an area of about 11,200 square meters. The second phase will be about 1,450 square meters and the third phase will take up about 1,350 square meters. The total area for phases 1, 2 and 3 will be about 14,000 square meters.
The investors said, in-line with their approach to develop in the most responsible manner in a challenging environment, construction of phase 1 and a portion of phase 2 will begin at the same time.
This approach has resulted in them securing the best available tenants.
Mr Thulani Kgomo, co-owner, is happy that his dream of developing the area has come true.
“Townships should be developed and its economy must be taken serious. This is not about my family, but about the people of eMbalenhle. The mall will create many jobs for locals and local entrepreneurs will also benefit.”
He thanked the current municipal administration for believing in his idea and supporting it. The mall will offer free, open air parking to shoppers in cars.
There will also be substantial improvements to the surrounding roads, including the reinstatement of public transport layby’s and the construction of additional turning lanes and slip roads.
Signs will be errected at the intersection on the R580 (the main access route into eMbalenhle from Secunda) and R546 (the main arterial route linking Evander and Standerton) as well as at the access to the mall from the R580.
There will also be taxi rank facilities to accommodate about 17 taxi bays.
Mr Themba Lukhele, Ward councillor, thanked the investors. He urged that 60 per cent of the employment be given to unemployed people from his ward.
Speaking during the sod-turning event, Ms Thandi Ngxonono, Govan Mbeki Municipality’s executive mayor, said she is humbled that such a huge investment has occurred during her term in office.
“We will support you and we want to let you know that as the Govan Mbeki Municipality we are also partners in this initiative.
“We need more business people who will invest in our township.
“We are calling our people to take advantage of this opportunity and to also safeguard this development.”
She also called on the investors to consider building a mall or a shopping complex in the south side of eMbalenhle.
Cashbuild, Shoprite, Pep, Ackermans, LiquorShop -Shoprite, Pep Cell, KFC, Roots Butchery, Capitec Bank ATM, FNB ATM, Roots Home, and Maxbox Fish and Chips have already signed up to be tenants.
