Deputy Minister Gina to Address Official Opening of the R500m Makhado Mall in Limpopo

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Nomalungelo Gina will deliver a keynote speech at the official opening of the Makhado Crossings Regional Mall on Thursday, 21 November 2019.

Gina is expected to be accompanied by the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in Limpopo. Mr Basikopo Makamu,  Executive Mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Councillor Nenguda Dowelan; Mayor of Makhado Local Municipality, Councillor Samuel Munyai; and the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Masingita Group of Companies, Mr Mike Nkuna.

The 32 000 square metre mall, which will house 83 stores including Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths and Dischem, was built by the Masingita Group of Companies at a cost of R500 million.

The Group’s Commercial Officer, Mr Timothy Phiri says the mall, which is the latest brainchild of Mr Nkuna, has created over a thousand jobs during construction and is expected to create more than 1 500 direct and indirect jobs during its full operation.

“The Makhado Crossing Regional Mall aims to consolidate the largely dispersed retail in Makhado Town in order to create a one-stop retail destination that is easily accessible and convenient for customers from both the primary and secondary catchment areas, as well as the vast amount of customers travelling on the N1 from Zimbabwe, Zambia and other South African Development Community countries,” says Phiri.

He adds that the mall’s contribution in stimulating the economy of the Vhembe district will be far-reaching, positive and sustainable. 21 local contractors have benefited through sub-contracting work in various trades.  46 Further Education and Vocational Training students managed to perform and complete their internship in various fields such as civil engineering, safety, construction supervision during the construction phase.

“The mall will go a long way in boosting the local economy.  Half-a-billion rand has already been injected into the local economy. More spin-offs that are positive will be felt in improved revenue base for the local municipality and creation of business opportunities for local enterprises, as mall will intercept the influx of people to economically sound cities and towns.  It will enable local communities to sustain their livelihood and reduce household poverty in line with economic development strategy of government,” adds Phiri.

Acclaimed entrepreneur Mr Mike Nkuna established Masingita Group of Companies in 1983. Since its establishment, the group has focused its property development enterprise in rural and township areas of South Africa with the primary aim of local and rural economic development. The company has expanded its property portfolio with other blue chip developments such as Jabulani Mall and Protea Glen Mall in Soweto, Masingita Mall in Giyani, Boitumelo Junction Mall in Thabong Welkom, Free State, and the Zebediela Plaza in Moletlane.

Deputy Minister Gina describes the establishment of the mall as an example of the achievement that collaboration between the private sector and government can attain in an effort to promote local economic growth and bettering the lives of the country’s citizens.

“Our country needs more visionary and exemplary business leaders of the calibre of Mr Nkuna and his group of innovative entrepreneurs to ensure that economic development does not only happen in big cities. Government is inspired by these kinds of proactive entrepreneurs and provides support to them as the dti has done through its Critical Infrastructure Programme which funded the project’s bulk infrastructure,” says Gina.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

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