By Nozipho Dlamini, tel: (012) 314-2214

The eThekwini Municipality in partnership with other stakeholders expects to create more than 4000 jobs with the construction of the R150 million Umlazi MegaCity, an up-market shopping centre. 

Equally owned by SA Retail Properties and Marriott Property Fund Managers (Martprop), the project to build the mega shopping centre began in March on a 14 hectare site owned by Transnet and is expected to be complete by April next year. 

According to eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba, the centre compared to the likes of the Pavilion shopping centre in Westville and will improve the township’s image and quality of life for residents. 

“A successful centre is also a potent and accessible job generator. A big supermarket for example, creates between 150-200 permanent jobs.  

“The Umlazi MegaCity is a key lever in the creation of equitable access to economic and social facilities, and will generate many direct and indirect jobs for surrounding communities,” he said.

He said the project was part of the Integrated Development Plan to revitalise township areas by using its economic position to lever private sector funding. 

It is located in a V-Section, at the main entrance and exit of the township.  It is at the gateway to Umlazi on the Mangosuthu Highway, opposite the entrance to the Durban International Airport.

It is seen as very important to transform both the physical appearance and social dynamics of that community - a place so spatially and economically isolated that it, in many ways has achieved the status of no more than a labour dormitory created by the apartheid government.

However, the mayor said through the commitment of the municipality in facilitating this exciting initiative, a viable, innovatively structured, government-supported, township based, flagship project, had been realised.  

He said the project had also benefited the township through upgrading access to the tune of R2 million and by locating a range of disparate social and community services into a regional service centre in the Umlazi MegaCity.

Mr Mlaba said the service centre, mainly in upgraded existing buildings, would be occupied mainly by municipal services where people could pay water, electricity and rates bills, and deal with pension and education issues.

Banks will also occupy this area and provision is being made for medical suites. There will be a service station on Mangosuthu Highway, and a taxi rank and offices. A motor city element includes car showrooms and spares outlets.

Furthermore, the mayor said about 90 percent of the space had been taken already and the rest should be let by the start of trading next year.

“I am very excited about the project and its potential for job creation and economic upliftment,” he said.

“Despite the major development achievements since 1994, parts of our city still suffer apartheid planning and apartheid thinking.

“The majority of the poor, most of whom are black, remain within the townships and informal settlements on the urban peripheries and the majority of the affluent and better off remain within the well-serviced urban areas.”

Mr Mlaba said lack of private funding and other constraints necessitated greater levels of involvement by the council in kick-starting economic projects in township areas. - BuaNews