A leading East London-based property developer Novate Property Investments, in conjunction with Efprops, is to build Kwantu, a 7,000 m2 shopping centre in Alice in the Eastern Cape.

Its anchor tenant, SuperSpar with the chain’s liquor franchise Tops, will be managed by Fort Beaufort Spar owner George and Stelious Georgiou. The two stores will employ up to 80 people.

Similarly sized as the Southernwood centre in East London, Novate expects to accommodate up to 25 tenants, and is in negotiation with several banks, fast food outlets and fashion retailers.  Up to 10 stores have been allocated for these stores while 15 smaller stores are to be tailored for local entrepreneurs.

Named Kwantu meaning “the place of the people” in Xhosa, the centre is ideally located opposite Taxi City and will be branded in African contemporary style.  Its construction begins in February 2007.

“We are very excited about this development. Many of the national chain stores and outlets are looking to expand their footprint in the smaller towns which means greater convenience and choice for these consumers.  It is also an opportunity for property developers to be able to provide high-value premises which have the modern day conveniences such as air-conditioning,” says Novate strategic development manager Grant Wheatley.

The Georgious agree and say that the centre in the town is long over due and will provide much-needed employment in the town.  In addition, people will no longer have to travel to the bigger centres to do their shopping.

Wheatley says that the Hogsback, Alice, Fort Beaufort and surrounding villages is a catchment area of about 100,000 consumers which makes the venture highly sustainable. The centre will also serve the University of Fort Hare which is about a five minute walk from the centre.

The approval processes for Kwantu are complete with local municipal and provincial government approvals now confirmed. Contractors for the centre will be Novate’s construction arm, Downstream Trading after which Novate will manage centre. The centre will create 100 jobs during the construction process.

Other suppliers involved in the project include George-based architect Deon van Rensburg, engineers Arcus Gibb and quantity surveyor Ian Moss.

Occupation of the centre is planned for October 2007. Novate Property Investments, which has a strong commercial trading base, has developed several residential properties in East London as well as in Port Alfred. It also has commercial property interests in Port Alfred, Mdantsane, Alice, Mthatha, East London and King Williams Town.

For more information, please contact

Grant Wheatley
Novate Property Investments
Telephone 043 726 6341
Cellular 082 563 7851
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For Novate Property Investments (media relations)

Antoinette Panton
SMG Africa
Telephone 043 726 8833
Cellular 083 419 8939
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