Deputy Minister Thembi Siweya, Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha and acting Venda King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana jointly opened the multi-million-rand, state-of the-art Mphephu Plaza in Nzhelele outside Makhado last Wednesday.
The mall, which is the first of its kind in these parts, was built by the Masingita Group of Companies, in conjunction with Investec Bank.
During Thursday's ceremony, Premier Mathabatha said that the opening of the Mphephu Mall was a symbol of the partnership between the private sector and the government, and that the private sector was playing a pivotal role in creating jobs for many unemployed community members.
"As a government, we support such initiatives and encourage other investors to emulate the Masingita Group of Companies for taking development to the people. Gone will be the days when communities around Nzhelele have to travel long distances to get access to banks and do their shopping as the Mphephu Mall will have what they need," said Premier Mathabatha.
Deputy Minister Siweya said that they were happy to see such development happening in the rural communities. "We thank the traditional leaders and the Limpopo government for working together in making a success of the programme. The mall will also play its part in bringing dignity to our rural communities, who will be proudly shopping near their villages," said Siweya.
The brain behind the Masingita Group of Companies, Mr Mike Nkuna, who is also the CEO of the company, said his company was ready to continue with developments as long as traditional leaders were willing to provide available land. Nkuna also thanked Investec Bank for partnering with his company to make a success of the Mphephu Mall.
Khosikhulu Ramabulana in turn said that he was excited about the development, which offered a better life for the local people. "The mall will be a great relief for these people, who used to travel long distances to Thohoyandou and Makhado to do their shopping. Now they have the Mphephu Plaza close by." He made a plea to the communities to each play an active role in taking care of the mall and to report vandals, so that the mall can be preserved for future generations.