Building of Letaba Mall resumes

The multi-million rand project was put on hold last year due to financial constraints.

The Letaba Mall was supposed to be completed in June next year, but construction was halted in February last year after the municipality failed to raise R140 million for electricity supply.

The manager of the Greater Tzaneen municipality, Mabakane Mangena, said that work was now under way after they managed to raise R45-million.

Mangena said the money would be used to build a power station to supply electricity to the project.

"We will be using the available funds to ensure that the station is up and running until we are able to raise more money for a bigger station," he said.

Mangena said the new mall would comprise grocery and clothing shops, as well as high-end restaurants.

He added that the mall would also be a one-stop centre for tourists visiting the Kruger National Park and other destinations in Mopani.

Mayor Othaniel Mushwana said the project would create about 500 temporary jobs during construction and a further 500 for sales persons.

Matome Mopai, an unemployed father-of-seven from Bolobedu, said he hoped the project would bring relief to locals who mostly worked on farms or depended on government grants.

Source: Sowetan