Construction advances on R550-m economic hub

Construction of the R550-million Intermodal Facility in the Port Shepstone CBD, which started in November 2022, is well underway.

The project is divided into several phases. The current phase, a four-level structure, will comprise a large retail area, parking and more.

Level one, which is the basement, will consist of the tenants’ delivery/loading/offloading zones, 203 bays for public transport, 50 informal trader stalls, 14 shops which can be utilised by local Small Medium and Micro Enterprises, subject to approval by the developer, medium voltage switch room and mezzanine floor with ablution facilities and storage.

Level two, the ground floor from the Nelson Mandela Drive entrance, will include 37 shops.

Level three, from the Ryder Street entrance, will have some 35 shops.

Level four, which is the rooftop, will have 470 parking bays.

It’s expected that the centre will commence operations on November 1 this year.

The spokesperson for Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM), Simon April, said it should be noted that the municipality is not involved in the allocation of shops, except for the informal traders and public transport.

“The developer has appointed a leasing agent to interview potential tenants and provide a formal procedure to secure a shop space.”

According to April, as of February 2024, a report tabled at the Public Service Commission indicated that 165 employment opportunities had been created, which entails 78% youth and 7% women.

“The main contractor is working closely with RNM’s Business Forum to employ local contractors. It’s anticipated that the project will create 1 200 jobs and once it’s completed, 720 permanently and directly employed people at the centre.

April also said that the next phase of the project will be constructed on the vacant portions of Erf 1904 on the northern side of the main facility.

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