The signboard has been saying that a shopping centre will be erected in Vryheid, but up until today, nothing has happened at the site. The different phases of the new regional shopping mall were announced in December 2020. In October 2021, a soil-turning ceremony was held by the developers (JB Holdings and Green Giraffe Properties) when they indicated that the new mall would cost approximately R600,000,000. The developers have built 18 shopping malls to date. There will evidently be five phases of this development, of which the first phase is the mall. 3500 jobs are set to be created and the aim is to give these jobs to the people of AbaQulusi.
The name of the new shopping mall was also announced as Princess Mkabayi, who was the head of the Qulusi Military Kraal. She was placed in charge of this entire part of the Zulu Kingdom and became Regent upon the death of her father, until the heir she had secured came of age.
The Vryheid Herald made contact with the developers to find out what the plans are regarding the mall. Recently, it was seen that a new signboard had been erected, indicating that the Princess Mkabayi Mall will be completed by October 2024. Since construction was announced in 2020, residents are skeptical whether the mall will actually see the light of day.
In a brief email from the developers on Monday, they indicated that they are currently busy with the final planning and ‘polishing’ of the development. The aim is to start with construction in early June. The development is approximately 30,000m2 and the planned opening is October 2024. It will bring a full and consolidated service to the greater community of AbaQulusi, if it ever materialises. The email says that further information regarding the mall will be shared at a later stage, when the owners are ready with more details.
ALSO READ: VRYHEID KZN: New royalty in town… Princess Mkabayi City
The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
