MINISTER of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has officially announced the awarding of the main contractor for the Manzini Mall project.
He revealed that the E2 billion contract has been awarded to Manzini JV, a partnership between local experts J&E Construction and renowned South African firm WBHO.
This was during the announcement of the new contractor for the significant project held at The Royal Villas yesterday. The project is expected to be complete by October 2027.
As Phase 1 winds down, Stefanutti Stocks is preparing to hand over the site to the Municipal Council of Manzini.
Khumalo said this step would allow the taxi rank to temporarily relocate to the newly completed platforms, clearing the path for the next big leap in construction.
The newly awarded contract covers the most anticipated elements of the project, including a total revamp of the Manzini transport hub into a modern, world-class facility and the official erection of the Manzini Mall itself.
The minister revealed that this construction phase will create up to 3 000 jobs, offering a boost to local employment and industry.
Upon completion, 1 500 jobs would be available when the mall is operational, which the minister said was extremely encouraging because one of the reasons government supports such projects is to encourage employment.
Khumalo noted that the Manzini JV will engage a lot of Emaswati contractors to do the various jobs.
“We will make sure that we remove any obstacles that may delay this project,” the minister said.
He also noted that His Majesty encourages maximum participation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), subcontractors that have the capacity to deliver such a project.
“I believe strongly that this project will be done on time, on quality and on budget. As we know, the country is celebrating 40 years of His Majesty on the throne this year, and the key milestone is that we celebrate this infrastructural development because as we develop as a country, we are very keen to show that infrastructure reflects our ambitions and in particular His Majesty’s ambitions.
Stefanutti Stocks is now winding down Phase 1 of the project, which was the platforms and networks. We will soon hand over the platforms to Manzini Municipal Council, which will allow for the taxi rank to temporarily move from its current location to where the platforms are. It will allow for a revamp of the Manzini Mall transport hub into a world-class transport hub, and then it will also allow for the mall itself to be erected,” said Khumalo.
He added that the project was strategically important, not only to the city of Manzini, but to the country as well because it will be one of the biggest regional malls meant to attract regional customers for an excellent shopping experience.
He said he hoped that Mpumalanga and Mozambique customers would come through because tourism is one of the country’s key strategic pillars for the growth of Eswatini and consumer tourism or shopping.
The minister implored transport operators to be patient as they will be temporarily inconvenienced when they are moved to the temporary platforms; a short-term pain for long-term gain.
“As someone who grew up in Manzini, I am looking forward to the new taxi rank and being part of this awesome experience,” said Khumalo.
