Construction of a R200-million shopping centre in Lenasia is expected to get under way by January.
The much-awaited development - the Trade Routes Shopping Centre - will be built on 45 000m² of land in Lenasia Ext 9, which borders the K43 highway to Johannesburg.
The centre, to be built on three levels, will accommodate 200 retail shops.
The centre was mooted in 2000 but it could not get off the ground because of problems involving title deeds and rezoning.
Apart from creating jobs, it will attract shoppers from Lenasia, Lenasia South, Eldorado Park, Ennerdale and Soweto.
One of the developers of the centre, the SHM Group of Companies, said national tenants, including major grocery, clothing and cinema outlets, had agreed to take up retail space.
SHM chairman Sayed Mia said: "The centre will not impact negatively on local traders. If anything, with more shoppers coming into the area, we expect it to boost the local economy.
"As part of our commitment to local communities, only 70 retail shops will be leased to national tenants and the remainder to small and medium enterprises in Lenasia and surrounding areas."
Sunday Times
Publisher: Sunday Times
Source: Sunday Times