NTHOESE DEVELOPMENT COMMENCES MULTI-MILLION RAND BUSHBUCKRIDGE SHOPPING CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION
November 2021, Bushbuckridge Mpumalanga– In an effort to contribute to economic opportunities, especially for communities that have suffered further socio-economic inequality because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nthoese Development, in association with Sampada Private Equity and the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, has recently completed construction and opened the newly redeveloped and expanded Bushbuckridge shopping centre in Mpumalanga.
“Nthoese Development has always prided itself in community integration when it pertains to all development projects. The redevelopment of the Bushbuckridge shopping centre is no exception. We have provided the community with an exceptional shopping centre and numerous job opportunities during and after construction to empower those that have been the most hard-hit by growing unemployment and poverty rates,” said Herbert Theledi, Founder and Managing Director of Nthoese Development.
According to Statistics South Africa, the country’s unemployment rate has hit a new record high of 34.4%, 7.826 million people, in the second quarter of 2021. This is a disturbing increase from the 32.6%, 7.242 million people, in the first quarter. 2021’s unemployment rate sets a record for the highest since the labour force survey began in 2008. As a result, there is an increase in crime rates and a dependency on unemployment grants, which are not sustainable for South Africans and the economy in the long run. “This poses an enormous challenge that needs to be seriously addressed by both the private sector and Government. As business and Government leaders we must step up our commitment in addressing our unemployment problem to ensure a stable, prosperous and peaceful soceity. This is what has informed us as Nthoese Development in tailoring our development projects towards providing much needed job opportunities to our most vulnerable communities. More jobs means more economically active citizens which means more spending power, GDP growth and an increased tax base” said Mr Theledi.
With the redevelopment and expansion of the Bushbuckridge shopping centre, Nthoese Developments created 1, 140 temporary jobs during construction and 623 full-time jobs post construction. Through this project, Nthoese Development is aiding the local community in propelling itself out of unemployment and securing financial relief that will improve quality of life and decrease crime rates in Bushbuckridge. The strategy to employ local people is rooted in Nthoese Developments’ belief that local people being main beneficiaries of any developments in their communities will provide an incentive for them to maintain their infrastructure and strive to create more opportunities for themselves.
The long-term goal of this project is to ensure the local community benefits beyond a new shopping centre and job opportunities. Nthoese Development, having received the Critical Infrastructure Programming funding from the Department of Trade and Industry, will expand their Bushbuckridge shopping centre development to include construction and improvement of roads, stormwater, water, and sewerage facilities. Access to clean water and efficient public roads are basic human rights. By expanding development this way, Nthoese Development ensures a dignified life for Bushbuckridge residents, and hopefully a decrease in road accidents and contaminated-water illnesses.
Furthermore, Nthoese Development will construct a bus terminal and taxi rank to address infrastructure challenges faced by the community. This will ease movement around the CBD. In doing so, Nthoese Development guarantees local people are not inconvenienced by lack of access to safe public transport hubs and roads for their commute. The new Bushbuckridge shopping centre was officially opened on 18 November 2021. Among the dignitaries in attendance during the official opening was the Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale, who gave a keynote address and Bushbuckridge Municipal Manager Cynthia Nkuna.
As part of CSI and investment into the community during the opening of the Mall both CEOs of Nthoese and Sampada have handed over 5 new Toyota Agya’s to the local taxi associations and also donated cycling gear to the Bushbuckridge Cycling Academy.
“This project is truly about community building and the impact on development project can have one access to skillsets, work opportunities and a better quality of life for the local communities. Every project undertaken by Nthoese Development will always prioritise the well-being and empowerment of the local people and economy,” concluded Theledi.
ENDS.
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Issued by Nthoese Development
