The community of Masianokeng, 12km south of Maseru, will enjoy a unique shopping experience when the first local shopping mall – Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre – opens its doors for the first time in June this year.
Construction of the mall, owned by a consortium of Basotho business people, Lesego Holdings, is nearing completion.
Speaking during a conducted tour of the project this week, Lesego shareholder ‘Matokelo Seturumane, indicated that Masianokeng Lifestyle Center is more than just a shopping mall housing shops and other businesses, as it is designed to be a place where patrons can visit to have fun.
She described the mall as a longtime dream which has finally come to fruition, thanks to hard work and determination.
“The Lifestyle Center is not complete yet, but it will be opening its doors soon. So far we already have 85 percent of tenants that will be occupying the space. As far as we are concerned, this is not just about having a business; it is more about bringing our dream to life, because we have in the process created jobs and are looking forward creating even more job opportunities for Basotho, especially those around this area.
“During the construction phase of this Lifestyle Center, we saw 120 people getting temporary jobs. We also engaged 50 local companies offering services such as consultancy, engineering, quantity surveying and architectural design,” Seturumane said.
The anchor tenants of the shopping center are well known grocery retailer, Pick n Pay and hardware store Cashbuild. Other tenants include Nedbank and telecommunications service provider, Econet Lesotho.
Seturumane said the Lifestyle Center will give people an opportunity to shop at their own pace not far from their homes. She said people will also avoid the traffic and hassles of going to shop in Maseru town.
At the same occasion, Masianokeng area chief Motheo Mapetla said as leader of the local community which he is also part of, it is an honour that they are going to have Masianokeng Lifestyle Center in their midst.
He expressed confidence that the shopping center is destined to change many people’s lives by giving them jobs like it has already done during the construction phase. He further enthused that the mall will improve the economy of the local community.
