By Sizwe Dlamini
The New Mall in Mbabane is set to undergo a structural extension valued at over E40 million.
At a recent scoping meeting held at the New Mall parking lot, tenants expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming development. Richard Sharks, a long-standing tenant and owner of Sharks Cellular, shared his excitement.
“The new Boxer superstore complex extension is a significant development for us. It will drive much-needed foot traffic to the mall, which has recently struggled with low visitor numbers. This project will greatly benefit all mall tenants by including an outdoor seating area, expanded parking, and improved delivery logistics,” he said.
The Project Manager, Laurence Samuel, estimates that the construction will be completed within eight months, contingent on approval from the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA) following their environmental assessment.
“The project is anticipated to create around 50 new jobs, including roles for security personnel, tellers, store staff, cleaners, and bakers, all sourced from the Mbabane area. A key focus of the hiring process will be gender equality. The extension will also feature an outdoor seating area, improved parking facilities, and better logistics for truck deliveries,” he said.
Samuel emphasized the broader economic benefits of the project: “This extension will not only generate jobs but also stimulate growth across several sectors, including construction, tourism, and public transport. Boxer’s reputation for affordability will attract more customers, which is crucial for the mall and the wider Mbabane community, particularly given the prevalent low-income demographics.”
Wandile Sibandze, the project architect from Expression Architects, confirmed that the extension will integrate seamlessly with the existing mall infrastructure and will incorporate an elevated pedestrian crossing between the mall and the Mbabane bus rank enhancing pedestrian safety.