By Nangamso Mabindla
8 June 2006

THE new multimillion rand Mdantsane shopping mall being built in NU 9 should help to cut the area's unemployment rate by at least 10%, says the Billion Property Group chairperson Sisa Ngebulana.

"At the moment 33% of the 175 000 people living here are unemployed; that is not very good for a township of this size. The presence of the mall will definitely help ease that," he adds.

Billion Property Group's shopping complex will be constructed at a cost of some R300-million.

During the 14-month construction period, about 1 600 jobs will be created, with more than half being permanent. After Greenacres in Port Elizabeth, the 35 000m² mall will be the second biggest in the province.

"Once the mall is completed in October 2007, about 900 permanent jobs will be created. This is very good for people in the township," added Ngebulana.

There will be a high level of skills development. "We want to make a call to locals to avail themselves during the construction period; the main contractors will be using sub-contractors for jobs like the painting of the mall and other jobs."

Ngebulana said local residents would not need to travel 15 kilometres to the East London CBD to do their shopping. "This means that money will stay in Mdantsane."

Once complete, the mall will house 110 shops, including Truworths, Cashbuild, Foschini, Mr Price, Morkels, Romans Pizza, Pep Stores, and Edgars.