By Sipho Masombuka
Mamelodi in Pretoria is to receive a R526million regional shopping complex as part of the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom Square precinct at the main western entrance into the sprawling township.
The shopping complex will be named after Mamelodi-born Solomon "Kalushi" Mahlangu, the former Umkhonto we Sizwe guerrilla who was hanged by the apartheid government in 1979.
The area in which it will be built forms part of the area dedicated in honour of Mahlangu and also marks where the Mamelodi massacre took place on November 21 1985.
The construction work by Isibonelo Property Services - the company that built Bloed Street Mall in the Pretoria CBD - is expected to start next month and is scheduled to be completed in 2012.
According to Shadrack Mthethwa, the property development firm's group chief executive, the project is expected to create about 5000 jobs for local people.
"Both skilled and unskilled workforce will be sourced locally through consultation with ward councillors. About 40percent of jobs would be created during the construction phase and 70percent would be permanent.
"Subcontractors would be sourced from the Tshwane metro council's database."
Mthethwa said the complex will see the demolishing and redesigning of the hawkers centre and adjacent taxi ranks at the Denneboom train station.
"We have already consulted with interested stakeholders including the community, civic and taxi organisations. Hopefully the complete relocation of the taxi rank will be done before the end of February," he said.
Mthethwa said Denneboom station will also get a facelift and many projects were in the pipeline, including the redevelopment of Mamelodi hostels into family units and reorganisation of public transport infrastructure to ease the flow of traffic and pedestrians.
The complex will be anchored by Cambridge, Pick n Pay and Game as well as financial institutions, fast-food outlets, restaurants, beauty and health shops.
The business district area is developed through the Tshwane metro council's programme, Tsosoloso.
Source: Sowetan
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge
