Dutywa – Sod turning was done on the land earmarked for the development of the Mbhashe LG Mall in Dutywa town today, 17 October 2023. Well-known businessman Tat’ Livingston Gcobani Nogoduka brings the investment of R320 million in Mbhashe for the development. This land to be developed is near the N2 highway in Dutywa. The sod-turning as an official proclamation ceremony was done today, to officially announce the development and the commencement of the construction of Mbhashe LG Mall. The construction work is expected to be completed as per the set timeframes, followed by the official opening as at end March 2025 for the mall to start operating.
The Executive Mayor of Mbhashe Local Municipality, Councilor Samkelo was part of this good deed. Expressing his gratitude and excitement and joy, he delivered the message representing Mbashe Local Municipality and said; “This investment will bring great change to the community of Dutywa, including the entire Mbhashe area and the public in general. This is one of the ways to improve the town of Dutywa, as this development will create job opportunities and reduce unemployment rate. The challenge we are currently faced with is the congestion in our town, now this investment will bring a development that will contribute to changing the state of the community for the better, as it will allow people to easily access services and reach out to the needs of their households. This will attract other investors to bring more development in Mbhashe area and that will benefit the communities, develop local businesses and tourism sector. As the municipality, we are committed to finding new ways and advices to develop our towns and the area we live in. This is done through adherence to the Spatial Development Framework which guides on how we can implement spatial development in our areas. I sincerely thank Tat’Nogoduka for his generosity because his efforts and love of development will benefit the nation and generations to come”
The investor, Mr. Nogoduka, said, “Since my young age, I have always loved being an entrepreneur who strives to meet the needs of communities, I have been doing this for the past 52 years of my life. The support that I have been recieving from the people of this area and Mbhashe council, especially the Executive Mayor, gave me courage to succeed in this business development initiative, that is why I have taken the step to invest in the Mbhashe area by building a mall that will benefit the local community for their needs and create job opportunities. It has been a long journey, I wish to thank the Municipality for their cooperation, until we reached this stage. I promise that I will not dissapoint them”.
This development is expected to create four hundred (400) jobs during the construction period, and up to 350 when it is operational. Forty-two (42) businesses have already registered and they are committed to bring their services in Dutywa. The stores expected include retail stores, furniture shops, resturants,fashion and banks.
Developers of a company known as EXEMPLAR, that has been doing construction work for forty years now, said in their history, this will be 73rd mall that they will be building. The size is 20 000 square metres.
Talking for Mbhashe administration during the session held in one the local business area later today, Municipal Manager Mkhululi Nako congratulated Nogoduka and appreciated him for his patience on the processes of land development. He further said ” I wish you well until the mall is finalized, so that you can witness the fruits of your seed”
Iindaba Zethu 
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