GEORGE NEWS - During a tour to interact with the businesses in Thembahlethu and gauge their opinion on the anticipated effect of the new mall on their turnover, a surprising discovery was made. Hardly any commercial activity is in the hands of locals. Foreigners own virtually all the food outlets, hairdressers and cellphone shops.

The business atmosphere today is very different to the Thembahlethu of 10 years ago and is about to change drastically again. The new shopping patterns that will emerge will have a marked effect on life in the township. Residents feel that the same transformation that hit the Central Business District of George when the Garden Route Mall opened is going to take hold here as well.

However, there is an undercurrent of excitement and anticipation regarding the opening of the mall, especially amongst the younger shoppers who feel that the current consumer ranges available at existing outlets are not sophisticated enough to meet their needs.

The hope exists that the unemployed students who have attended and completed college and university courses such as marketing, will get the opportunity to be employed, now that a huge retail facility will be located in Thembahlethu. The centre is due to open on 30 August and everyone agrees - life in Thembahlethu is going to change.


The nearly completed Thembalethu Mall.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ