In December last year, the different phases of the new Regional Shopping Mall in Vryheid was announced. At that stage, the name of the mall had not been revealed as yet. However, it was indicated that 3500 jobs would be created with this new and modern development.
During the SOD-turning ceremony on October 13 (Wednesday last week), Mr R Shabangu, on behalf of the developers (JB Holdings and Green Giraffe Properties) indicated that the new mall will cost approximately R600,000,000. The developers have constructed 18 shopping malls already, of which their latest is the Rustenburg Shopping Mall. “We will have offices; an office park will be part of the development, as well as a hotel and a casino. There will also be upmarket apartments, because that is very important for young and upcoming career-driven people and young entrepreneurs – for them to shop and play. When you take the entire development, you’re talking about a R2,2 billion development. The number of jobs created will be 3500 and we need to make sure that those jobs get given to the people of AbaQulusi. The most important part is when we say there will be five phases of this development. The first phase is the mall, which is the biggest investment.“ It was also indicated by Shabangu that the contractors for the mall must be local and only when the bigger mechanical structures are needed should it be outsourced to other contractors out of town. “We want this R600,000,000 to be spent and to benefit the local people. The most important thing is that we are not bringing a shopping centre for the black community. We are bringing a shopping centre that will compete with Gateway.” It was also indicated that work on the first phase of the mall will commence in January 2022.
His Excellency Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi also attended and spoke at the sod-turning ceremony. He indicated that he is tremendously proud to participate in the launch. “I know the years of hard work behind this significant moment. When a municipality decides to spend R200,000,000, it is not a decision taken lightly. Particularly when that municipality has spent the better part of five years removing millions of rands of debt accumulated under its previous leadership.” He continued by saying: “Indeed, it has potential for the whole of Zululand, because it brings with it new supply chains and investment opportunities. This is exactly the kind of economic boost our district needs, and I applaud the deputy mayor and his team for driving the vision to this point, where it is ready to begin.”
The name of the new Regional Shopping Mall was also announced as Princess Mkabayi. Prince Buthelezi explained the origin of the name as follows: “Princess Mkabayi was head of the Qulusi Military Kraal. She was placed in charge of this entire part of the Zulu Kingdom and in fact became Regent upon the death of her father, King Jama, until the heir she had secured came of age. Even then, she continued in an advisory role to King Senzangakhona until his passing in 1816. It was then that she arranged for King Shaka to challenge Prince Sigujana for the throne. She remained as an advisor to King Shaka, as well as founded the abaQulusi during his reign. After Queen Nandi’s death, Princess Mkabayi believed that the nation would be best served by his brother, Dingane ka Senzangakhona, and she colluded with him and his brother, Mhlangana, to assassinate the king. To secure the throne for King Dingane, she arranged for Mhlangana to be assassinated soon thereafter.”
“By today’s standards, this sounds like an intriguing plot of a film. But it is the factual history of a nation that has been kept strong and powerful through many aggressive attempts to destroy it. And at the heart of its survival is a woman: Princess Mkabayi ka Jama. Thus, when the women of AbaQulusi see this mall being built and when you begin to benefit from its presence in AbaQulusi, I urge you to remember the strong woman after whom it was named. She was a king-maker and advisor, a warrior and an influencer. We have good reason to be proud of this inheritance. I therefore want to thank the mayor for his wisdom in reminding us of Princess Mkabayi. This is why it is unthinkable that any proud Zulu patriot can tolerate the change of this historic place, and name it just after any pipsqueak.”
Prince Buthelezi concluded his speech by saying: “As we mark the beginning of this project now, I look forward to returning to cut the ribbon of the brand new Princess Mkabayi Regional Mall.”
After all the keynote speakers had delivered their speeches, everyone dispersed to the development site, where Prince Buthelezi, Acting Mayor Maphisa and Mr R Shabangu ‘broke the ground’ for the new development and planted the first foliage on the site.
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