The 60 000 m² BT Ngebs City regional mall, in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, was officially opened on Thursday.
The mall boasted over 150 tenants, a number of which were retail firsts for the former homeland, signaling growing investor confidence in the region, said property developer Billion Group founder and property entrepreneur Sisa Ngebulana.
“A comprehensive mix of tenants, including retail, fashion, banking, homeware, health, sports and entertainment, will ensure this development caters to all 478 000 households in the catchment area,” he added.
The mall formed part of Billion Group’s R16-billion investment earmarked for the Eastern Cape region over the next ten years.
“During its construction phase, the R1.4-billion development has created about 4 500 jobs. An additional 2 500 permanent positions will become available upon completion of the development,” Ngebulana said.
Goods and services for the build phase were procured from the local community, while many community members helped to build the mall.
Phase 2 of the development was now under way and would include a 100-room four-star hotel, due to open next year, as well as 10 000 m² of office space.
Billion Group was also spending over R60-million on roads, bulk electricity, water, sewage, wetland systems and other infrastructure that would benefit the Mthatha community.