By Sashni Pather

A Laudium doctor-turned- businessman has embarked on a major development programme that will change the face of the township to rival the Tshwane CBD.

Mohammed Adam, a director of 8 Mile Investments, has emerged as the key player in a black economic empowerment consortium that will develop the multimillion-rand Claudius Extension 2 project over the next 10 years.

Adam said the development would change the landscape of Laudium and surrounding areas and result in a much-needed economic boost.

"We are looking at something similar to Melrose Arch," said Adam. "First we would like to get going with the shopping complex of about 35,000 square metres, which will include national retailers and entertainment."

Although relatively wealthy in comparison to other townships surrounding Tswane, Laudium has never had a dedicated shopping facility. Most residents shop at Menlyn or Brooklyn.

According to a study conducted by Fernridge Consulting, the area has a strong middle to upper-class income market profile.

The racial breakdown indicates that Indian households are the most prominent (51%), followed by black households (38%). The study found that 54% of the residents were employed, 11% were unemployed and 35% were not economically active.

The majority of residents are employed by the community services industry, while wholesale and retail trade is the second-largest industry, followed by finance and insurance.

The new project is set to take up nearly 40 hectares of land and will consist of a shopping mall, general business sites and residential apartments opposite the Swartkops racetrack.

Adam's company is a subsidiary of Louis Pasteur Investments. Adam said local Indians were historically disadvantaged, with limited opportunities for residential development. He said although several township allocations had been lodged over the past few months, few specifically catered for the needs of the Indian community.

"Our proposed development aims to supply this need as an extension of the neighbouring communities. This will improve the quality of life for all residents and provide convenience."

Louis Pasteur Investments director Dingaan Daka said: "Our survey reveals that R85-million of residents' disposable income is spent outside their community, because of the absence of a mall. The middle to upper class has not been catered for."

He said that the consortium had planned to spend nearly R1-billion over the next 10 years and generate close to 5000 jobs.

"Because of its magnitude, the development will impact on the fundamental infrastructure of this country. It'll be a world-class development catering for the middle class, but with the look and feel of Sandton," Daka said.

The application to develop the project is with the Tshwane Metro Council and has not yet been approved.

Sunday Times