Construction of Standerton Mall underway
Background to the development of the mall includes a DA march to the municipal offices on 1 February for it to be built.
The long awaited mall for Standerton seems to be a reality now after a notice board was recently put up at the construction site at the intersection of the R23 and Walter Susulu Drive in Standerton.
An official of the communications department of the Lekwa Municipality also altered her WhatsApp-status accordingly, but the council had already approved it on 28 August last year.
“Committees from both the Gert Sibande Municipality and Lekwa Municipality will iron out the logistics,” Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, communications manager of the municipality, said.
Ms Mtshiselwa also indicated that a press briefing will be held soon to inform the public about developments as well as other burning issues such as the situation at Goldi in town.
The date however, could not be confirmed, but it will be before the end of June since it is the last month of the financial year.
Background to the development of the mall includes a peaceful DA march to the municipal offices on 1 February for it to be built.
“There is rampant unemployment in our town, and the building of the mall would help in alleviating unemployment,” Ms Angel Khanyile, DA MP, said.
Neither the executive mayor, Mr Linda Dhlamini, nor the municipal manager, Ms Gugu Mhlongo-Ntshangase, were present to receive the memorandum.
The protesters shouted randomly, alleging that the delay is another sign of corruption at the municipality.
According to Mr Muso Kubheka, DA councillor, the party did apply for permission for the march and it was granted, yet no one was available to accept their memorandum.
The memorandum focused on the mall that will create job opportunities and boost the economy, as well as service delivery issues.
He put a motion forward in the regional municipality’s council that an effort should be made to help Lekwa with the construction of the mall.
The Standerton Advertiser tried to phone Sky Village Properties, the developers, on Friday 7 June for more information, but the call went unanswered.
South Africa’s unemployment rate stands at 27,6% in the first quarter, according to statistics, and is the highest since 2017.
The Monument Centre in town with its shops has seen one retailer closing its doors, while the Junxion Centre has had its fair share of businesses closing.
Lack of employment was also no laughing matter for the youth of Ext 8 on Thursday, 6 June. They were standing at the intersection of Mbonani Mayisela and Church Streets, just a stone’s throw way from the municipal offices.
The Lekwa offices drew attention because the Standerton Police were present at the scene.
One of the protesting youth undertook to visit the offices of the newspaper, with the full story behind their peaceful protest, but did not arrive at our offices that day or the following day.
A man however, referred to the unemployment problem and gave the example of having to look after older family members, who survive on Sassa-grants.
It was alleged that job opportunities at the municipality went in favour of friends of the officials and it was not the first time allegations of this nature surfaced.
The newspaper contacted Ms Mtshiselwa on Friday, 7 June for comment on the above.
She said that an informed response can only be given when the relevant job opportunities involved are specified.
“The construction of the mall is good thing and we believe it was our efforts,” Mr Kubheka concluded.
