The first phase of the ambitious E124 million Manzini Mall development is set for completion next Friday.
This would mark a significant milestone in one of the town’s largest private-sector investment projects. This was revealed by Municipal Council of Manzini Director of Technical Services Bonginkhosi Simelane during a project update meeting yesterday at the Manzini Municipal Council chambers.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala as well as municipal officials and project stakeholders.
Simelane explained that the development has been divided into three phases, with the first phase expected to conclude on June 19.
He said Phase I involved the construction and upgrading of roads, the establishment of temporary bus rank terminals and the refurbishment of key roads surrounding the project area.
He said the second phase would focus on the construction of the mall itself, while phase three would see the construction of a bridge linking the old bus rank to Mavuso Sports Centre.
According to Simelane, the first phase was implemented over an 18-month period and it carries a value of E124 million.
Simelane said as part of preparations for the next stage of the project, three sites have been identified to accommodate public transport operations during the construction. These, he said, were the old Trade Fair, Riverstone Mall and the Satellite Bus Rank.
The old Trade Fair terminal would serve public transport operators travelling from the eastern side of Manzini, particularly the Nazarene route, while the Satellite Bus Rank will accommodate buses and kombis operating from the Siteki corridor. The Riverstone Mall terminal will be reserved for cross-border transport services.
Addressing concerns about the accessibility of the old trade fair bus terminal, Simelane said practical tests had already been conducted using a Zulu Khayalami long base bus.
“The results showed that buses will be able to enter and manoeuvre within the facility without difficulty,” Simelane said.
He further revealed that the contractor had assured the municipality that the temporary terminal would be completed and handed over by June 19. He said relocation of transport operators from the main Manzini Bus Rank to the temporary facilities will take place between June 20 and 21.
Simelane said a press briefing had also been scheduled for June 15, during which the municipality would officially announce the alternative transport terminals and relocation arrangements to the public. He said phase one of the project was undertaken by Stefanutti Stocks.
Speaking during the meeting, Khumalo praised the level of professionalism demonstrated throughout the project, particularly the extensive stakeholder engagement process.
He noted that given the complexity of the development, excluding key stakeholders could have resulted in costly delays. Khumalo emphasised that the benefits of the project extended beyond the investors themselves, as it would significantly improve Manzini’s infrastructure, particularly the transport system.
“As a ministry, our mandate is to promote investment. This project represents a major private-sector investment, and when investors responded positively to government’s call, it became our responsibility to provide them with the necessary support.
“We are grateful that the first phase of the project is nearing completion and that work on the second phase will commence soon. The contractor for the second phase which involves the construction of the mall, has already been secured,” said Khumalo.
He said the main contractor Ntwense has partnered with WBHO and J&E for the next stage of the development.
Maphalala applauded the unity and collaboration displayed by all stakeholders involved in the project. He stressed that his ministry was not competing with that of commerce, industry and trade, but was instead working alongside it to facilitate sustainable development.
“Our role as a ministry is to ensure that development takes place within the framework of the law while creating an enabling environment for investors,” he said.
Maphalala said the development would fundamentally transform the face of Manzini and usher in a new era of urban growth.
“Manzini will never be the same after this project. In fact, we will witness a completely new Manzini,” Maphalala said.
