Major retailers are planning special offers to mark the opening of the mall.
Ngcawuzele says that apart from smaller traders, there are two full service anchor tenants - Shoprite and Spar. Other tenants include Cashbuild, The Post Office, Jet Mart, Ackermans, Pep, Identity, Truworths, Exact, Fashion Express, Legit, Mr Price, Foschini, Markhams, Total Sport, Clicks, Capitec Bank, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Old Mutual, KFC, Steers, Spur, Debonairs, Morkels and Ellerines.
He says there has been an excellent take-up of space, with 95% leased, and the remaining area under negotiation.
"The intention is to use the centre as the first step toward the establishment of a Gugulethu central business district (CBD). Discussions have been held around further retail development, hotels and additional community facilities. If these initiatives are successful, the development of offices would be the next step, further accelerating the township's integration into the formal economy."
Ngcawuzele says the project has applied energy-saving alternatives to Gugulethu Square with an eye on a rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa. These include an energy efficient water-cooled air conditioning system, a rainwater system, intelligent lighting and tilt-up concrete façade construction requiring no external painting and less transport.
Other measures were the use of on-site material for backfilling, re-use of 4,000m² brick paving from the site on which the centre has been developed, salvaging of demolished material for community use and the introduction of operational waste management systems.
For more information, visit: www.gugulethusquare.co.za
