THE new R600m I’langa Mall in Nelspruit, an upmarket regional shopping centre, is set to open in April next year. Construction is on schedule and a mix of retailers have confirmed they will be taking up space in the centre.

The Mall is already 85% let and will be anchored by Pick n Pay, Edgars, Game and Woolworths, complemented by national retailers such as Truworths, Foschini, Mr Price and Ackermans.

The mall is owned by the Visagie Trust, Resilient Properties and Laeveldtrust and developed by MTB Development Company. I’langa Mall (I’langa meaning “sun”) is expected to enhance the retail variety in Nelspruit by introducing a number of retailers to the lowveld city for the very first time.

Among those already confirmed are: @HomeLivingSpace, specialist electronics and entertainment store Dion Wired, the surf style of Hang Ten, Due South outdoor and adventure wear, Portuguese women’s wear designer Ana Sousa, and Mr Price Sport. In addition, I’langa Mall will be home to the only Game store in Nelspruit.

The construction of I’langa Mall is expected to boost the local community and economy by creating about 2400 jobs during actual construction, with a further 3590 sustainable jobs created thereafter.

The owners have also undertaken extensive traffic studies in regard to the construction of I’langa Mall and are spending millions in road upgrades, as part of the project, to ensure easy access to the centre.

I’langa Mall will also serve the substantial and growing cross-border shopping market from Mozambique, as well as tourists visiting the area.

“I’langa Mall is proudly local,” says Luan Visagie of major stakeholder Visagie Trust. “The idea was conceptualised in Nelspruit; it is being developed by a team of Nelspruit businessmen and built with the best local knowledge and skills.

“We are proud that this mall for the people of Nelspruit will offer residents the best that shopping centres can offer.”

In selecting its investment partners, Visagie Trust has joined forces with some of the property industry’s leaders. Strict criteria are applied in evaluating target investments and only regions displaying sound long-term growth prospects are considered.

An experienced investor nationally, Resilient is also a major co-owner of Highveld Mall in Witbank and owner of Nelspruit Plaza, all underpinning its strong understanding of the fundamentals and dynamics at work in the market.

“We have great confidence in the economy of Nelspruit and the entire region. Our local partners have, with their knowledge and passion, certainly created a superior asset in I’langa Mall,” says Johann Kriek of Resilient.

Source: Business Day