By Nozipho Dlamini

eThekwini Municipality, in partnership with other stakeholders, expects to create more than 4 000 jobs with the construction of the R150-million Umlazi MegaCity, an up-market shopping centre.

Equally owned by SA Retail Properties and Marriott Property Fund Managers, the project began in March 2005 on a 14-hectare site owned by Transnet. The project should be completed by April next year. The centre is one of the municipality’s flagship projects.

According to Obed Mlaba, the mayor of eThekwini, the centre will improve Umlazi’s image and the quality of life for its residents.

“A successful centre is also a potent and accessible job generator. A big supermarket, for example, creates between 150 and 200 permanent jobs,” he said.

“The Umlazi MegaCity is a key lever in the creation of equitable access to economic and social facilities, and will generate many direct and indirect jobs for surrounding communities,” he said.

Mlaba said the project was part of the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan to revitalise township areas by using its economic position to lever private-sector funding.

Lack of private funding and other constraints meant that the council needed to be more involved in kick-starting economic projects in township areas, he said. The municipality was committed to facilitating this initiative, Mlaba said.

The centre is at the gateway to Umlazi on the Mangosuthu Highway, opposite the entrance to the Durban International Airport.

He said the project would also improve township residents’ access to municipal services by locating a range of social and community services in a regional service centre at the Umlazi MegaCity.

Mlaba said the service centre, mainly in upgraded existing buildings, would be occupied mainly by municipal services. People will be able to pay water, electricity and rates bills, as well as deal with pension and education issues at the centre.

“I am very excited about the project and its potential for job creation and economic upliftment,” he said.

Source: BuaNews