By Delisa Thwala
His Majesty King Mswati III toured the Matsapha and Manzini Lifestyle Centre with a combined value estimated to be over E600 million.
The King applauded and admired businesses in different sectors.
This was during the day-long tour by His Majesty which started at Matsapha Lifestyle Centre and proceeded to Manzini Lifestyle Centre.
The King was in the company of Emakhosikati, Emazinyane, Government officials, and Emabandla, and invited special guests.
His tour was kicked off by the cutting of a ribbon, officially opening Matsapha SuperSpar. He was then taken inside and toured each aisle, where he was met with jubilant cashiers, managers, and shop attendants.
His Majesty inside the shop bought items like buns, cooking oil, rice, and many other household items. He also purchased a red E8 000 generator at Afri-Sam.
The King toured all retail stores and banks in the complex, he received gifts from them, and in return, they were rewarded with a photo opportunity with His Majesty.
Meanwhile, notwithstanding the socio-economic upheavals caused by the recent unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic, the Al-Mansoor Group companies showed they strongly believed that Eswatini is a worthwhile investment haven.
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The group laid before His Majesty the positive outlook of Eswatini’s favourable investment climate through its decision to construct an E455 million shopping complex in Matsapha, the kingdom’s industrial hub.
The new business development is situated below the Lusushwana Bridge. This development is known as Matsapha Lifestyle Centre.
According to Nasser Mansoor, the complex covers an area measuring about 26,000 square metres and accommodates over 50 retail outlets comprising both international and local brands.
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The Matsapha Lifestyle Centre was completed within 18 months and was assembled by Construction Associates (CA).
Mansoor said it was without any doubt that the group still believed in Eswatini as a perfect investment destination as demonstrated by the continued investments regardless of the current challenges.
“We are motivated by our directors who are continuously showing love for the country. Despite the outbreak of Covid-19 and the recent unrest, our directors are not deterred from continuing with this huge investment,†he said.
He remarked that their directors’ resilience had not been deterred even by the looting and burning down of some of their businesses during the recent unrest.
“Despite being affected by Covid-19 and the recent unrest, where some of our businesses were looted and burnt down, we still believe in Eswatini,†he stressed.
Mansoor said to achieve Eswatini’s desired First World status, emaSwati needed to shape their destiny and be drivers of the future they wanted for themselves and their children.
He said the solution would be the creation of job opportunities and striving to reduce reliance on neighbouring states by supporting local entities.
He further noted that the ongoing project was part of the Group’s long-term investment plan for the country and had been in the pipeline for the past two years.
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“Our company is amplifying its Lifestyle Centre shopping complex concept, which is almost similar to the one in Manzini and we desire to build more in the different regions of Eswatiniâ€.
He clarified that the concept was not necessarily focussing on increasing the number of Spar Supermarkets, but aimed at positively impacting the country’s entire retail sector.
“This complex provides more than 30 retail spaces other than the Spar Supermarket and will allow others to do business,†he said.
He said such a development would contribute to the socio-economic strategic goals of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Matsapha town.
