KwaThema Square phase one opens

The 16-month building project came to a halt on Wednesday morning when the community came out in numbers to view the new stores.

“The vision for development is to invest in strategic townships and create work for the local community,” explains Zunaid Carim, spokesman and operations manager for ERZ Properties.

The developers say it is important for them to bring shopping to townships and informal settlements where residents have to travel long distances to their nearest mall.

“We are prepared to invest in the rural areas and townships of South Africa, the South Africa that we fought for,” says Carim.

“We still believe in a fair and equal democracy and see a bright future for the underprivileged in the next 10 to 15 years.”

A national building material store came to the opening party by donating more than R120 000 in prizes to eight primary schools in KwaThema.

“We run the competition every time we open a store in a new location,” explains store manager Nathi Simelane.

All the winning schools brought groups to perform at the celebration.

Ward 74 Clr Thulani Simelane says he happy about the development.

“I know that many people have already been employed by the businesses here.”

Ali Masilela, community liaison officer for the project, adds that phase two of the construction, which will add a further 4 500 square metres, will be complete early next year.

The new mall strip also boasts a new soccer field, taxi rank and tarred road.