Malls for rural folks’ convenience

An aerial artists perspective of the R140 million Jozini Mall, which is set to be developed in the town in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal.

The rural communities of Jozini and Tugela Ferry in northern KwaZulu-Natal are set to get multi-million-rand shopping centres that will bring large one-stop retail facilities right on their doorstep.

Jozini Mall is being developed at a cost of R140 million by Greater Atlantic Properties and will span 17 000m2, comprising 45 shops.

On the northern banks of the Tugela River, the 12 300m2 Tugela Ferry Mall that will house 34 stores is set to be developed by Copper Zone Pty Ltd.

Both shopping centres will be anchored by 3 000m2 Shoprite supermarkets.

The developers of both centres have brought on board specialist retail leasing and development company, Retail Network Services to handle leasing.

The consumers in Jozini and Tugela Ferry will enjoy comprehensive and convenient shopping in their communities.

According to Gavin Tagg of Retail Network Services, the Jozini Mall would help correct a large undersupply of retail in the community.

He said Jozini residents were severely restricted in meeting their shopping needs in their town.

“This small town plays a big role in the region. Synonymous with Lake Jozini, formerly Pongolapoort Dam, it is on the main route to Mozambique and provides a gateway into Maputaland… However, the Jozini CBD faces space limits and hasn’t been able to expand with the town’s population. There’s little retail choice and limited national retail in the CBD,” said Tagg.

Among the mix of 45 retailers when Jozini Mall opens in September would be convenience, furniture and fast-food outlets, supported by more than 400 parking bays, 36 taxi bays and eight bus bays.

The mall is set to bring more than a dozen of the country’s leading fashion retailers to the town including Truworths, Identity, Jet, Edgars Active, Pep, Power Fashion and Rage.

National furniture retailers will include Joshua Doore, Ellerines, OK Furniture, Lewis and Barnetts.

According to Retail Network Services, the mall would benefit a worthy market of over 42 000 households in its primary and secondary catchment area.

Nearly 106 000 people live in the primary catchment area and nearly 135 000 in the secondary market zone.

The Tugela Ferry Mall will be on the R33 main route through town.

It will feature more than 300 parking bays and integrated facilities for more than 30 taxis, making it accessible to shoppers from neighbouring areas.

“Today, over 184 000 residents of bustling Tugela Ferry cannot bank in their town. They have to travel at least 45km to Greytown for banking and other basic shopping services, or to other ‘nearby’ major towns such as Dundee, some 80km away and Ladysmith 110km away,” said Tagg.

“The cost of this travel hits consumers hard and eats into their valuable spending power… Tugela Ferry Mall will go beyond bringing comprehensive convenient everyday shopping to its market. It will add quality to lives and serve as a central social hub for the community.”

Tagg said the isolated, yet vibrant, Tugela Ferry was ideally situated for formal retail. The town is also the focus of this growing area with public facilities including a hospital, police station, Department of Home Affairs offices, schools, courts and municipal offices.