The Billion Group, which is building Mthatha’s mega BT Ngebs mall, has spent millions upgrading roads, sanitation and electricity infrastructure in the area.
The mall is strategically located on Errol Spring Avenue, which is close to where the planned N2 toll road will be built.
Errol Spring Avenue has for years been riddled with potholes so big that motorists nicknamed one the “Jacuzzi”.
But the road has been given a complete makeover and is now a dual carriageway.
Traffic lights have also been installed to allow pedestrians easy crossing to a taxi drop-off area across the road.
On the other side of the mall is what used to be a small gravel road that has been completely rejuvenated and resurfaced with tar.
The road links vehicles travelling up Madeira Street to join Craister Street behind Mthatha Plaza. Another new road will link Errol Spring Avenue to Craister Street.
According to Billion Group director Vuyokazi Njongwe, the road construction was made to ensure easy access to the mall for shoppers and to give back to the community of Mthatha.
“We signed a service- level agreement with the Department of Water Affairs, King Sabata Dalindyebo and OR Tambo ,’’ Njongwe said.
“We upgraded Errol Spring to be a dual carriageway, from Tutor Ndamase Road to Zanemali Street.
“We have also done electrical upgrades up to Sidwadwa substation and we have sewer lines and storm water upgrades.”
She said there was also an agreement to rejuvenate Mthatha’s wetlands system.
Apart from the infrastructure upgrades, the R1.4-billion mall will on Thursday open its doors for the first time to the public.
When the Saturday Dispatch visited the site this week, construction workers, cleaners and employees of the different retail stores were busy with finishing touches.
Food retail stores Pick n Pay and Checkers were stocked and ready to open. Clothing retail stores such as Edgars and Truworths have also stocked up for the grand opening.
“We are quite ready with the mall … it is in an acceptable state,” Njongwe said.
“The only thing that we are doing now is just finalising the entrances and one or two roads.
“Shops are ready. They even have merchandise.”
Retailers include high- end brands such as Fabiani, Karacha, Toss, Vogue, Bogart, Kurt Geiger, Earth Child, Earth Addict and Keedo. Nearby, Billion has started construction on a new hotel to be opened next year.
Property giant spruces up city mall area
The mall is strategically located on Errol Spring Avenue, which is close to where the planned N2 toll road will be built.
Errol Spring Avenue has for years been riddled with potholes so big that motorists nicknamed one the “Jacuzzi”.
But the road has been given a complete makeover and is now a dual carriageway.
Traffic lights have also been installed to allow pedestrians easy crossing to a taxi drop-off area across the road.
On the other side of the mall is what used to be a small gravel road that has been completely rejuvenated and resurfaced with tar.
The road links vehicles travelling up Madeira Street to join Craister Street behind Mthatha Plaza. Another new road will link Errol Spring Avenue to Craister Street.
According to Billion Group director Vuyokazi Njongwe, the road construction was made to ensure easy access to the mall for shoppers and to give back to the community of Mthatha.
“We signed a service- level agreement with the Department of Water Affairs, King Sabata Dalindyebo and OR Tambo ,’’ Njongwe said.
“We upgraded Errol Spring to be a dual carriageway, from Tutor Ndamase Road to Zanemali Street.
“We have also done electrical upgrades up to Sidwadwa substation and we have sewer lines and storm water upgrades.”
She said there was also an agreement to rejuvenate Mthatha’s wetlands system.
Apart from the infrastructure upgrades, the R1.4-billion mall will on Thursday open its doors for the first time to the public.
When the Saturday Dispatch visited the site this week, construction workers, cleaners and employees of the different retail stores were busy with finishing touches.
Food retail stores Pick n Pay and Checkers were stocked and ready to open. Clothing retail stores such as Edgars and Truworths have also stocked up for the grand opening.
“We are quite ready with the mall … it is in an acceptable state,” Njongwe said.
“The only thing that we are doing now is just finalising the entrances and one or two roads.
“Shops are ready. They even have merchandise.”
Retailers include high- end brands such as Fabiani, Karacha, Toss, Vogue, Bogart, Kurt Geiger, Earth Child, Earth Addict and Keedo. Nearby, Billion has started construction on a new hotel to be opened next year.
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