Nthwese Developments and its partner Sampada Private Equity officially launched the R250 million Bambanani Shopping Centre in Diepsloot on the 23rd of November. The new development has already secured long term employment with up to 120 jobs created for local community members.
The Bambanani Shopping Centre is an 18 000m² single level semi-enclosed mall, on the corner of the R114 and Apple Street and connected to the N14 highway.
The design of the shopping centre aims to provide much needed opportunities to enrich the community with a family friendly shopping experience, with the potential to build a new communal heart for the residents.
The resilient nature of the design ethos for Diepsloot called for tried and tested solutions for the construction of the shopping centre. The material-selection was narrowed down to steel, concrete, plaster, paint, glass and face bricks. There was a conscious drive towards robust detailing and construction methods which are accessible to the local work force that made up a substantial percentage of labour on site.
The design team approached this shopping centre as a predominantly pedestrian or “walk-in” centre where a taxi transport node is provided while still fulfilling the full council parking requirements.
The current tenant mix and anchors are a 3000m² Shoprite, with an 800 m² OBC, 1200m² Cashbuild, 600m² Medizone, Nizams, furniture, fashion, food outlets with a KFC drive through, pharmacies and basic services and more. Residents are now ever more connected, alleviating them from long distance travel for access to basic day to day services, transport and entertainment.
Managing Director of Nthwese Developments Seabelo Theledi said Bambanani Shopping Centre will contribute towards improving the quality of life for the community of Diepsloot. The company fully supports sustainable economic development and job creation throughout the value chain of our projects, with methods that are in line with the Department of Public Works’ strategy on Black Economic Empowerment and poverty alleviation.
For a company committed to community development, Bambanani Shopping Centre is no exception as it epitomises Nthwese’s mission of long-term job creation and empowerment of disadvantaged communities.
Furthermore, Nthwese made use of local businesses and employed members of the community during the development phase of the centre, providing around 600 jobs during construction.
For the success of the development, Nthwese acknowledges the role of the government, the different partners and stakeholders, the community of Diepsloot, local political parties, the City of Johannesburg, the Department of Trade and industry, and the tenants.
