Klerksdorp to get R1-billion shopping mall

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Danette Breitenbach

Mayor Mike Khauoe celebrated the official sod turning held on 20 February 2013 for the R1-billion Matlosana regional mall in Klerksdorp that will open in October 2014. Situated at the eastern entrance to the town along the N12, the development of the mall has been championed by the community.

Klerksdorp Mayor Mike Khauoe turns the first sod of the R1-billion Matlosana Mall. Standing behind him is Jaco Odendaal, chairman of Abacus Asset Management and director of Matlosana Mall.

Civils work will start on Monday 25 February and engineers Murray & Roberts will move onto site six weeks later. Construction will create 2000 jobs, with a further 1200 permanent jobs once the mall opens its doors for trading. BTKM Quantity Surveyors has been appointed to manage the BBBEE targeting and skills development on the project.

Mall developers, Abacus Asset Management, have undertaken to use local contractors and developers wherever possible on the 65 000 m² mall. Major national tenants had been secured and will be announced later, the company said.

The development's go-ahead comes after North West local government MEC China Dodovu gave the final okay for the project, following a recommendation from the North West Townships board on the matter.

Abacus has successfully developed Cape Town's CapeGate regional shopping precinct, Waterstone Village in Somerset West and Eikestad Mall in Stellenbosch. The South African Council of Shopping Centres awarded Abacus 2010 Mall of the Year for its MooiRiver Mall in Potchefstroom.