THE Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, was among the dignitaries who attended the official opening of the Mbhashe LG Mall in Dutywa, which consists of 63 shops, last week.
He thanked the founder of the mall, Gcobani Nogoduka, and the partners, for playing a major role in bringing this development to the town.
“We appreciate what you did for our people. As the government of the Eastern Cape, we are proud of what you have done, and this has created more jobs for our children. I had to roll up my sleeves because I saw that if we folded our arms, this would not have happened. I thank the community members from the Ngxakaxa area for allowing us to use this land. Young people from this area usually travel far to find jobs, but now some of them are working here, so they no longer need to travel long distances,” said Mabuyane.
He added that people should understand that this mall cost over R350 million, and they should be aware of this when considering future projects. He mentioned that the company that built the mall has a strong presence. Mabuyane shared that he knows what it’s like to be poor, so he does not wish to see young people from this province follow in his footsteps; instead, they should work to achieve their goals.
“This structure is part of developing this area so that it can be in a higher position. We are appealing to the people on the coast not to be told by others from different countries that there will be no development here. When we talk about sustainable development, we are talking about development that goes hand in hand with the protection of the environment.”
He added that they are planning to have government departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs, in the mall to make it easier for community members to access their services.
The Mayor of Mbhashe Local Municipality, Councillor Samkelo Janda, said they were pleased with this initiative, as it aligns with what they have been advocating for.
“We have always wanted to see the economy of this area grow and to ensure that amenities available in other districts are also available here, right next to us. Now, the money will circulate here in Dutywa because there will be no need for people to travel to other areas. This was one of the challenges that held back our economy. With 63 tenants already in place and the potential for the number to grow to 80, this mall will help develop our area. Community members will be spending their money here, which will also create more job opportunities,” said Janda.
He added that the mall is also attracting other investments, as it inspires confidence in investors.
“If investors of this magnitude are coming here, we can see the potential for growth. The money invested here, about R350 million, is the largest investment I have seen during my term. As more people come here, the municipality will see an increase in property investment, which will drive the need for more properties. We are already in the process of building new properties. These are not RDP houses but accommodation for professionals who will work here. We don’t want them to work here and live in other districts — they need to live here.”
Janda further emphasised that the schools and health facilities in the area must be in good condition and that they may even need to upgrade to hospital-level services, as there is currently only a Community Health Centre in the municipality.
He highlighted that the benefits of the mall will extend beyond the Mbhashe community, as it will also serve citizens from Ngcobo and other surrounding areas.
He assured that they would work with the mall management to ensure it is always kept in good condition and remains attractive.
“We will also speak to our stakeholders to ensure that, even if they face problems, no one will come and disrupt the shops. If we work together, we can guarantee the sustainability of this investment in the area.”
He mentioned that although he could not provide a specific timeframe for completing the construction of properties in the area, negotiations were already underway, and there were interested parties.
“We have shown them some sites, and they have returned to make plans. Once they have their plans ready, they will come back to the municipality with the next steps. We are just waiting for their feedback.”
The founder of the mall, Gcobani Nogoduka, said they gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Mbhashe LG Mall. He expressed his pride and excitement over this achievement.
“It’s no small feat that every achievement comes in small steps. To reach this point, one must not rush. I say this because this dream seemed unachievable to me back in the early ’90s when I imagined a group of different shops under one roof. As a black person, it felt like playing with fire. But with resilience and faith, it has come to fruition today. This is the second such mall after the first opened in Butterworth in 2012. Our company has had to overcome many challenges to get to this point,” said Nogoduka.
He shared that negotiations to acquire the land began back in 2009, and although things didn’t always go smoothly, he persevered, leading to this day.
“I stand here committed to ensuring that the mall delivers the finest products and services to all our customers. I hope this becomes a reality. With our carefully selected team in mall management, I am confident my dream will not go unfulfilled.”
He added that the team would continue to listen to customer feedback, improve where necessary, and enhance service quality within and around the mall.
In conclusion, Nogoduka appealed to the authorities, saying, “Our government must come to the fore and help those who want to get into business, regardless of their status or the type of business, as long as it will have a positive impact on society and improve the living standards of our people.”
