The newly launched Kunjani Mall brings shopping convenience to a previously underserviced area of Knysna
The South African development group Latitude Properties has just seen its new mixed-use shopping precinct Kunjani Mall launched in Knysna’s underserviced Concordia area.
The first phase of this R200m development located across 4,500m², will bring shopping convenience to the community with a variety of retail stores including national giants Shoprite, Ackermans, and Pep. Six stalls are also available for smaller traders, which will be leased to local micro businesses.
Phase two will include a second retail component and amenities such as WIFI accessibility, co-working spaces, playgrounds, sports fields, a clinic and a Centre for Early Childhood Development – all welcome facilities and services for the Concordia community.
ENHANCING NEIGHBOURHOOD FABRIC
The Kunjani Mall has also collaborated with South African artist Zanele Montle whose public artwork “Abantu Bethu” (Our People) celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of Knysna. She has included people from the Concordia community in her creations.
Latitude’s CEO, Harry Pretorius, is optimistic that the Kunjani Concordia development will play a key role in enhancing the neighbourhood fabric and contributing to job creation. At least 200 builders and labourers will be involved in the construction, and the development will yield at least 100 permanent jobs upon completion.
“I’m proud of what the Latitude team has achieved with Kunjani Mall,” says Pretorius. “For too long, the area has been underserviced in terms of high-quality retail stores and facilities.”
Pretorius says Latitude Properties plans to complete three more Kunjani precincts along the western and southern parts of the Cape region over the next 18 months and is positive about the long-term growth in rural and township areas.
QUALITY OF LIFE ON HOME GROUND
“We have looked at a neighbourhood beyond the traditional suburbs, only to find there are all kinds of young professionals and entrepreneurs who are excelling and who yearn for these kinds of spaces. South Africans can be highly successful in the towns they live in and don’t necessarily have to make the often difficult move to a bigger city in search of a better quality life,” says Pretorius.
A benefit of developing in the Southern and Western Cape, is the absence of problems with construction mafias and other unscrupulous groups.
“We are in a fortunate position that this doesn’t happen here. Communities are involved in what we do. Locals are represented in all the labour that we use. We have never had an issue with problem groups invading our developments,” he says.
While the country’s economy overall may be battling to grow, and many South Africans are struggling to find work, construction, real estate and other related industries are resilient, according to Pretorius.
Main image caption: Ombali Phineas Sebola (municipal manager), Cllr Aubrey Tsengwa (executive mayor), Cllr Pindile Petros (Garden Route district representative)
Body image caption: Herman Pretorius (CEO Latitude Properties)
