GEORGE NEWS - Plans for upgrading the old shipping container shopping centre, the Masakhane Shopping Mall in Sandkraal Road, are being fast-tracked by the George Municipality.
The Town Council resolved at their 12 May meeting to level the terrain and build a new, covered entrance structure.
Some of the rusty shipping containers which currently serve as shops, are to be replaced by new ones which are to be positioned on the street front.
Council resolved that the eight new containers will be rented to replace the existing ones in order to create a neater appearance from Sandkraal Road.
After mulling over the upgrading for years, it would seem that there is now suddenly an urgency as local economic development chief, Fanus Brink was instructed to come up with a time-frame for the project as soon as possible.
It was also decided that the mall should reflect the history of the Borchards/Lawaaikamp area. No subletting will be allowed at the mall. A new ablution block is also to be built. This should be a huge improvement, because at present passers-by relieve themselves against rusty containers, whilst garbage lies piled up in heaps everywhere.

Sad state
Near the liquor outlet customers are sea-ted in the midst of a pile of empties and altogether the mall presents a sad state.
It was stated in the council minutes that no financial funding will be given via the Local Economic Development (LED) fund to individuals or businesses. However LED funding will be made available to the aforementioned tenants for the purpose of cleaning up the area, general upgrade and maintenance of the containers, and for proper signage.
As condition for its involvement, council expects the group of 22 business owners to undergo business training so as to guaran-tee the viability of the mall.

A three-year lease agreement between a certain Masakhane Business Forum and the George Municipality will be renewable for a further three years, subject to the council being satisfied that the property is managed to its satisfaction.
ANC chief whip Charlie Williams said R2-million was budgeted for the project. This could, however, not be verified.
Although a lease agreement will be entered into with individuals, the municipal manager will be authorised to enter into agreement with the Masakhane Mall Group once their legal entity has been established and registered, and the training of the initial group of 22 has been concluded. The agreement with the Masakhane Mall Tenant Association dated 18 January 2007 will be withdrawn.

The Masakhane Shopping Mall Association contacted the George Herald to indicate that they think they have not been consulted sufficiently, if at all, and would be holding a meeting to formulate their response.
About 11 shops are still operational. The mall was opened in the 1990s with Tokyo Sexwale, the then Gauteng premier, attending. At the time, Sanlam sponsored the containers.

Article and photo: Pauline Lourens