A new shopping centre is on the cards for Grahamstown that will create 300 temporary and 350 permanent jobs.
A new shopping centre is on the cards for Grahamstown that will create 300 temporary and 350 permanent jobs.
The project proposal, which was presented at the municipality's Local Economic Development (LED) Committee meeting on Wednesday, entails the development of four plots at the corner of Makana Way and Sani Street in Extension 6.
Local construction group, Geeto, aims to develop the plots into an extensive shopping complex.
Zonwabele Mantla, who led the presentation, said, “Geeto’s primary interests are local economic growth with the aim of curbing unemployment in the Makana district.”
Mantla stressed the strategic location of the site, which has been earmarked by the municipality as a commercial development node.
It is fully serviced and has access to water, electricity and sewage lines.
Located close to the N2, new Multi-Purpose Sports Centre and newly constructed police station, and on essential taxi routes, Mantla argued that the site boasted strong economic viability.
Shoprite / Checkers is proposed as the anchor tenant for the shopping complex, supported by various commercial enterprises.
“We have approached the South African Revenue Service (SARS) with the idea of opening a regional office within the complex. Discussions are in the interim phase,” said Mantla.
According to the proposal document, the project could create 300 temporary jobs during the construction period and 350 permanent jobs after completion.
“There is an imbalance of business in the Grahamstown economy,” said councillor Mabhuti Matyumza.
He said the development of the site could shift large-scale, concentrated economic activity to Grahamstown East.
“As a group we plan to establish a social responsibility fund that may be utilised to assist local communities in times of need – for example, in times of natural disasters,” said Mantla.
He said the fund would be managed by a board drawn from the immediate Grahamstown community.
Riana Meiring, Director of Local Economic Development, affirmed that her directorate was in favour of the construction of a shopping complex in Grahamstown East, at Makana Way.
