The township of Zwelitsha outside Qonce was a hive of activity yesterday as a new shopping mall opened its doors to much fun fair. The new mall, named Eyabantu Mall has been made possible by an investment of R200 million by Novate Property Investments.
Director of Novate Property Investments, Adreas Efstratiou said the decision to open a new mall in Zwelitsha was taken to meet the growing demand in the region for services and goods to come closer to communities.
"This investment will grow Zwelitsha as an economic hub of surrounding areas and we have a strategy in place to that effect,” said Efstratiou.
The new mall boosts major retail brands such as Clicks, SPAR Group which are set to bring much convenience for shoppers who would otherwise get such services in Qonce.
Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane welcome the new investment saying it came at the right time to boost job creation. On Wednesday Stats SA released the Labour Force Survey Results of Quarter 1 of 2025 which indicate an increase of 2.7 % in the Eastern Cape unemployment rate, compared to Quarter 4 of 2024.
Premier Mabuyane acknowledged that the increase in the unemployment rate is a setback for the province but welcomed the creation of 200 permanent jobs from the Eyabantu Mall investment. "Our task is to partner with businesses like Novate Property Investments to create more jobs for the youth, give business contracts to businesses owned by young people and women. When we employ young people, we must pay them decent salaries so that they too can benefit from the economic growth and success of our province,” added Premier Mabuyane.
The retail sector is one of the best performing sectors in the South African economy with sector sales increased by 3,9% year-on-year in February 2025.
Premier Mabuyane said the government led infrastructure development initiatives such as roads construction projects are making it conducive for business to invest in the Eastern Cape. In the past few months, the Dutywa Mall opened its doors and employs 500 people and Massmart Makro East London followed suit creating 200 new jobs.
Premier Mabuyane alluded that better things are coming for Qonce, Zwelitsha and Bhisho corridor in terms of economic development which will be anchored on the Bhisho Office Precinct.
The people of Zwelitsha, Tshatshu, Phakamisa, Litha, Ndevana, Tshabo, Mount Coke, now have a convenience shopping at their door-step.
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