By Delisa Thwala
Matsapha Lifestyle has created over 1500 jobs. The jobs were created during the construction of the project and even more, now that it is operational.
According to their research spanning about 10 years, they expected the mall to service over 35,000 dwellings benefitting an estimated 155,000 people.
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo said he was aware of the project, which he described as a contribution to the country’s post-Covid- 19 Economic Recovery Plan.
“This is another example that the private sector is continuing to create jobs and to grow the economy,” Khumalo said. The minister went on to say that the government was happy to see the retail sector continuing to lead in the recovery.
Matsapha Town Council Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sihle Sihlongonyane described the development as another facelift for the town.
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“We believe that this project will foster employment opportunities for the people of Matsapha and the country at large,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Tony Sibandze said the project was a one hundred percent (100%) Swati-owned local development covering an area measuring about 26,000 square metres and will accommodate over 50 retail shops, comprising both international and local retailers, the food court among others.
SPAR, Shoprite, Studio 88, MTN, and Eswatini Mobile are some of the retail entities that l operate within the Mall.
“This centre has its Photovoltaic plant that produces green energy which will be situated on the rooftop of the whole shopping centre.
Green energy will ensure sustainability for future generations and we are passionate about tackling global warming and conserving the earth for future generations,” he said.
Worth mentioning, the Mansoor brothers’ history dates to the early 1950s when a close-knit family in South Africa began a journey that soon found itself deep-rooted on Swati soils.
ALSO READ: His Majesty tours multi-million Matsapha, Manzini Lifestyle Centres.
This was during the era of King Sobhuza II. They started with one retail shop at Luyengo which was known as Ka-Macondza.
Fast forward to today, the brothers have now founded and partnered in over 14 large and established companies, including Spar Group, which is in various industries ranging from wholesale/ retail to property development.
Their companies have a combined annual turnover of over a billion Emalangeni, as building strong businesses has always been a passion for the Mansoor brothers, with almost all their business endeavours developed from the ground up.
