An event to celebrate the construction progress at the Hubyeni Shopping Centre, a project which is already off the ground, was staged by Kerr Developments Limpopo on site at Elim last Thursday.

Kerr Developments Limpopo is the developer of the 12 000m² Hubyeni Shopping Centre, scheduled to open in March, 2007.

According to the chief executive officer of Trade and Investment Limpopo, Mr Joe Mathebula, Kerr Developments has put aside R75 million towards the project. The company is reported to have extensive experience in retail developments and it is hoped that its team of professional consultants will ensure that Hubyeni Shopping Centre will be of the highest quality and safety standards.

At the heart of the shopping centre, situated adjacent to Elim Hospital, is an amphitheatre overlooking the picturesque Soutpansberg Mountains. Hubyeni is a tsonga word, meaning "the meeting place". The centre will be anchored by Spar and Jet Mart. Fifty-five other stores of various sizes, including First National Bank, Standard Bank, African Bank, King Pie, Barcelos, Link Pharmacy, Pep Stores, Barnetts, Power Factory Warehouse and the South African Post Office will also be part of the complex.

On completion of the centre, a formal taxi rank and hawker's facilities will be provided on site, while Bus lay-byes have been provided along the two provincial roads bordering the site. In addition, the aesthetics of the centre have been drawn from local influences. During the land negotiation process, Kerr Developements Limpopo had agreed to provide the Elim/Shirley community with a 10% shareholding in the Hubyeni shopping centre development.

Furthermore, the company will locate two new soccer fields at Elim Secondary School's premises and are reported to be nearing completion. Ablution facilities consisting of change rooms for two teams will be constructed between the two fields and should be completed towards the end of year.

During the construction phase, Kerr Developments Limpopo claimed to have promoted the use of local labour and contractors. At the same time, a labour desk has been established to assist the community in providing a structured forum to afford interested parties the opportunity to enter their names into the database of members without jobs in the area. Presently, 160 jobs have been created through the initiative. In proving that the directors of Kerr Developements Limpopo and its sister companies have a social responsibility to the areas in which they develop, Kerr Developments donated R10 000 to the Rivoni Society for the Blind to assist them in the provision of transport and classrooms needed for the continued growth of the centre.

A computer was donated to the Makhado Morals Group, as they required it for the day-to-day running of their social upliftment efforts. As the company feels that the Elim-Shirley community is in need of a library, a book drive has been started. Trade and Investment Limpopo CEO Mr Joe Mathebula said that the development at Elim is a clear indication that the province's economy is growing. "As the province, we were always underserviced in terms of development, particularly in our rural areas. The shopping centre will offer our communities a variety of opportunities, it will create jobs as well have an impact on tourism and related services. The research we conducted in the province indicates more possibilities to develop retail and shopping centres," he said.

Kerr Developements Limpopo is also planning to establish eight more shopping centres in the Vhembe district. To enforce the centre's slogan, 'Hubyeni Shopping Centre, the centre for the people', the company promised that it will assit the community where possible for the duration of their involvement in the community. Khosi-Khulu Vho-Toni Mphephu Ramabulana, Khosi Vho-Ramovha and Hosi TJ Mukhari also attended the function.