Work on a R526-million shopping centre to be built in Mamelodi is expected to begin early next year and it is anticipated that it will create between 800 and 10 000 jobs during its construction. Once complete it will provide about 4 000 permanent jobs.
Isibonelo Property Services will develop the Solomon Mahlangu centre using a grant from the Tshwane Council’s Tsosoloso neighbourhood development partnership programme.
The centre will form part of the Solomon Mahlangu Precinct, which includes the municipal offices, Denneboom Station, the adjacent public transport facilities and the Mamelodi hostels.
Solomon Mahlangu was an Umkhonto we Sizwe cadre who was hanged at Pretoria Central Prison in 1979 after being convicted along with two others of engaging in a gun battle with police who had cornered them in George Goch, Johannesburg.
According to Isibonelo’s chief executive, Shadrack Mthethwa the project will be completed in 2012.
The urban design framework for the project was approved last year and was necessitated by the fact that there had been rapid growth in the area and the general state of neglect of the public environment.
Tshwane council is hoping to attract private sector investment to transform Mamelodi and improve the quality of life for residents of this township. The council is negotiating with private sector organisations to redevelop Denneboom Station.
The Mamelodi hostels are being converted into family housing units and the roads infrastructure to the township is being upgraded to ensure there is adequate access to the precinct.
Anchor tenants for the new shopping centre include Pick n Pay, several financial institutions, a number of beauty shops and fast food outlets.
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