MAKHADO – The mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Cllr RS Nkuzana said that his council is currently embarking on a programme to attract both local and international investors into Makhado town.

According to him, they have already secured Game Store, which will start to operate within the next two months. Nkuzana said that the rezoning of a portion of the sports ground has been gazetted and the portion will include a shopping mall, Pick ‘n Pay, CTM and other chain stores.

He claimed that Wadanga Tole would construct approximately 100 housing units at the remainder of Extension 9. “This development will include a hotel and a conference centre as well as other commercial services,” he said.

The mayor added that the council has appointed Urban- Econ-KZN to compile a Local Economic Development Plan for the municipality, while the Tourism Research Institute of South Africa has been appointed to compile the council’s Tourism Development and Marketing Strategic Plan. He said that council has also approved, in principle, the development of the Maneledzi Plaza, which will be situated between Beit Bridge and Dzanani.

Nkuzana said that the development will include a petrol and diesel depot and a convenience store. “The development of a shopping centre at Elim is at an advanced stage and Spar has purchased another portion of the property, which is adjacent to their current location.

Nkuzana said that council is proud of the development of the new Werda Motors Garage and Desai Operating Trust in Erasmus Street. “Our municipality will continue to engage the Department of Health and Social Development with a view to get an approval of a licence for an establishment of a private hospital. It is presumed that these measures will form a financial base through which we will finance our service programs. In addition, the economic opportunities have a potential in improving the socio-economic status of our people, while on the other hand it will contribute to pushing back the frontiers of poverty” he said.

Nkuzana said that the municipality will be able to sustain economic growth as well as cre-ating sustainable job opportunities.