Cape Flats' R400m mall
23 October 2003
The Western Cape government on Wednesday officially opened a new shopping centre in Mitchell's Plain, which is expected to bring economic development to the benefit of communities in the area.
Provincial MEC for Finance and Economic Development Ebrahim Rasool opened the R400-million Promenade Shopping Centre on the Cape Flats, saying: "The shopping complex does not only create infrastructure, it also brings a sense of pride and will advance growth and development to Mitchell's Plain. On the back of this development we can bring industries and factories."
The complex is an outcome of a partnership between the provincial government, the private sector and the Mitchell's Plain community, which is regarded as the second largest residential area in the province.
Mitchell's Plain - with an estimated population of about one million, most of whom are unemployed - has been declared a Presidential Development Nodal Point.
Rasool said
major retail stores will bring competitive prices to the area, adding that criminal activities should not deter the community from doing their shopping at the complex. He said the causes of crime are unemployment and poverty, but assured the community that the centre's management has invested a lot in security.
"But the most effective way to fight crime is by creating jobs," Rasool added.
The provincial government is also planning to develop the Khayelitsha Central Business District, as part of efforts to bring economic development to poor areas such as Mitchell's Plain, Khayelitsha and Macassar.
Rasool encouraged the private sector to extend infrastructure development to other townships around the province.
"The challenge is to ensure that we bring development to communities, not because it is a nice thing to do, but because it makes business sense to invest in these areas," said Rasool.
National retail chain, Pick 'n Pay became the first store to
officially open its doors at the centre.
Source: BuaNews
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