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OThongathi Mall Construction Creates 900 Jobs
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Date: 2021-10-03 23:25:25

OThongathi Mall Construction Creates 900 Jobs

NEWSFLASH
 
10 JULY 2019
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
OThongathi Mall Construction Creates 900 Jobs
 
New developers have taken over construction of the oThongathi Mall, which will bring a unique coordinated first-class shopping experience to the town’s central business district once completed. Local communities will also benefit as around 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase with a further 350 jobs created once the mall opens.
 
The new developers, AJ Property Holdings, said building contractors are now in full swing on site, starting with the demolition of the previous structure which collapsed in 2013 while under other different developers.
 
AJ Property Holdings’ Community Liaison Manager Owen Nxumalo said the shopping centre, which will see construction work begin at the end of July and officially open its doors to shoppers in November 2020, aims to bring a mix of national stores and local tenants together to usher in a new shopping experience for communities in the north of Durban.
 
“The mall will bring value and convenience as well as a myriad of possibilities of great shopping within aesthetically appealing spaces. It will offer a safe and structured platform for customers to enjoy their shopping experience as a formal establishment which will host nationally recognised brands under one roof with 24 hour onsite security to give customers piece of mind while they indulge in all the mall has to offer,” said Nxumalo.
 
Some high-class retailers and major banks have already been confirmed as tenants.
 
Nxumalo said apart from bringing a new shopping experience, the mall will create economic opportunities for surrounding communities as they plan to employ 500 people during construction.
 
“Once the mall is operational, we project to open up 350 employment opportunities created by tenants and service providers,” he said.
Another added benefit, he said, was that during construction of the mall, local suppliers and businesses will be given an opportunity to act as subcontractors and supply materials.
 
“The mall will also provide retail space to eight local traders in electronics, clothing, cell phones repairs and food takeaway outlets businesses.”
 
In addition to these opportunities, Nxumalo said there is a project steering committee formed to ensure they prioritise local businesses to supply goods and services required by tenants in the mall and the opportunity to tender for the upkeep and maintenance of the centre.
He said a cleansing ceremony was held in March to give closure to the families who lost loved ones in the 2013 mall collapse.
 
Nkululeko Mkhize, the Municipality’s Deputy Head for Economic Development Projects said to ensure full compliance, the City was working closely with the new developers in terms of plan approvals as well as occupational health and safety.
 
“This will prevent any inaccuracies and ensure employees are safe and that the developers deliver a quality standard structure to the community.”
 
ENDS
 
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries contact Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220