The development by a black economic empowerment group of a massive Mdantsane shopping mall costing at least R100 million has been given the green light.

The Buffalo City council was to have approved the sale of land in NU9 for the development on Tuesday, but did not do so because the council meeting was adjourned.

But it is certain the 9,789 hectares will be sold to Billion Property Group to build the mall. This is expected to be approved at the next ordinary council meeting.

"It would have been absurd for them to turn it down," said the group's executive chairman Sisa Ngebulana from Johannesburg.

"We are going to spend R125m on the development of the mall."

In April, Buffalo City mayor Sindisile Maclean announced plans for a R100m mall in Mdantsane.

Ngebulana said the mall would house national retailers, which he did not identify because his group was still negotiating with them.

"It will be a closed mall, upmarket, with taxi rank, parking areas and a service station," he said.

The shops will be similar to those available in East London.

"We want to bring those facilities to the people. Their counterparts in the suburbs have them on their doorstep. It's something our people have not had."

Ngebulana said his group had been waiting for a long time for the municipality to approve the sale of the land.

"One of the frustrations is that Buffalo City has been taking its time."

He said the group had hoped that by now the municipality would have approved the sale, to allow calls for any objections for a month before construction starts.

He said work on the site could start early next year.

"It depends on their processes."

A council report said the golf driving range which currently leases part of the land would be relocated to an adjacent area. The land to be developed will include the planned indoor sports centre and boxing academy.

Daily Dispatch
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge