By Lloyd Govindsamy
The development of the oThongathi Mall promises to bring some much needed life, revenue and relief for the community of Tongaat with a convenient shopping experience and 500 job opportunities, once completed.
With the mall which is set to open in December, this year, has is renewed hope among the people of Tongaat, as the area is rife in unemployment. Unemployed graduate, Sphamandla Kubheka, said he cannot wait to start putting in applications.
He said: “I have elderly parents and did not was to go to far from home, just to get a job. The mall construction has given me hope of one day being employed closer to home. I was worried about leaving my family behind, because there limited job opportunities in Tongaat.”
Ward 61 councillor Dolly Munien said the mall is sure to put an ease on the community’s travel time to bigger retailers and be a convenient shopping experience. She said: “The number of outlets in the mall is sure to create many employment opportunities for our people. It will also provide the community with a safe and comfortable shopping experience. With the cost of living already so high minimising travel time will to other malls is definitely welcomed.”
The Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid visited the construction site to unpack exactly what the community can expect upon its completion and the benefits it brings to the township north of Durban. As social media already abuzz with excitement at the construction resuming once again.
Boasting 60 shops as well as their anchor tenants, Checkers and Shoprite, as well as a McDonald’s Drive-thru, the CEO of oThongathi Mall, Johan Botha said the new 18 000 meter squared retail development is expected to boost the economy immensely. He said: “oThongathi Mall will offer a first-class shopping experience in a secured space, with unique opportunities and services previously not available in Tongaat.”
Botha said that the demolishment of the previous structure started in March 2019 and that the project experienced various delays, however, with their current plans on track the mall should be completed as expected. The enormity of the construction required modifications to the R102 to accommodate the anticipated traffic.
Botha said: “Roadworks and upgrades along the R102 will be from Coronation Road to Ganie Street and will also entail the length of Wadd Place to the west of the R102. It will also include the widening of the R102 Gopalall Hurbans Road in the oThongathi central business district. The final completed road upgrade of the R102 will comprise a four-lane dual-carriageway cross-section with two lanes northbound, two lanes southbound, and a two-meter median. The final completed road upgrade of Wadd Place will comprise a four-lane cross-section with two lanes in each direction plus additional localised widening at the R102 intersection. A new set of traffic signals will be constructed at the R102 Wadd Place and Henrietta Road intersection. The roadworks are being funded by oThongathi Mall.”
One of the highlights of the mall is the two floor McDonald’s which is a 314 square metre drive through with state of the art designs. “It is conveniently situated close to the main building, with its own access road and parking in front of the shops. The mall will bring value and convenience to the community of Tongaat. It will offer a safe and structured platform for customers to enjoy their shopping experience. This is a formal establishment which will host nationally recognised brands under one roof with 24-hour on site security. Customers will have peace of mind while they indulge in everything the mall has to offer,” said Botha.
In preparation of the modifications to the road, eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela urged the community to be patient while the upgrades take place. He said: “The multi-million-rand oThongathi Mall development is scheduled to open its doors at the end of 2022. In preparation for the opening, major roadworks around the development will begin soon. The roadworks are expected to include the narrowing of the R102 from three lanes to two in portions. All necessary traffic safety measures will be observed. All upgrades and roadworks are expected to take approximately six months to complete.”
