Threat to close new mall in Alex

Artist's impression of the Pan Africa Mall.

Spokesperson of the chamber's youth wing, John Makgoka, said a series of protests to discourage consumers from shopping at the mall would start on 17 June 2009.

Makgoka said too few people from Alexandra had benefitted from the mall because it was “owned by people from outside”.

“Alexandra has many capable young businessmen and women who should be running businesses from the mall. Less than 15% of the staff at the mall are from Alex.

“People of Alexandra must also occupy more space as tenants in the shopping centre. We will discourage residents from buying at the shopping at the centre until this has been reversed,” said Makgoka.

Pan Africa was opened by President Jacob Zuma on 24 May is part of the Alexandra Renewal Project.

Many residents of Alexandra have welcomed the shopping centre, saying it was long overdue.

Sifundo Ndaba is a cashier at a fast food outlet at the shopping centre. Previously employed in the Johannesburg CBD, central business district, Ndaba said she enjoyed being able to “walk to work every day”.

“Working in town was tough because most of my salary was spent on transport to and from work.”

James Ramatseba, a local resident, said the mall had “brought all the modern conveniences to Alex”.

Zodwa Msimango, a fruit hawker outside the mall, said she was concerned that vendors had not yet been allocated stalls.

“We're afraid Metro cops will remove us and confiscate our goods.”

The Alexandra Renewal Project could not be reached to comment on the chamber's threat.

Source: Sowetan

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