72 Days To Go...

The wait for the intriguing R650 million structure rising near the N2 and M13 in Westville, Durban, is reaching its end. Deputy mayor Logie Naidoo, city dignitaries, as well as other VIP guests, were part of the "roof wetting" celebrations.

"We are all eagerly looking forward to the opening of the shopping mall which will take place exactly 78 days from now," said Graham Sherratt, one of the shareholders of Westwood Mall. This development has created a major benefit for the local people. At present there are over 2000 direct employees on site with at least 200 of these employees coming from local informal settlements. Once the centre is up and running, it is expected to create about 1 200 permanent, suitable employment positions.

Besides the usual national retailers such as Woolworths, Pick n Pay, Truworths, the Foschini Group, Mr. Price, Edgars, Dis-Chem and Ackermans, the shopping centre will also have two international stores which will be introduced for the first time in KZN. The first is a French fashion house called Promod and the second is a London-based sports department store called Lillywhites, which will be opening their second store in the country.

In addition to this the centre will also have gourmet eateries, food court outlets, specialized boutiques, bookshops, music stores and more.

"Special customer service training has been arranged and indeed, at every point you come into contact with the Mall, your experience will be friendly, welcoming and of the highest standards, naturally beautiful and altogether refreshing and inspirational retail therapy," said Ronica Inarman, General Manager of Westwood Mall and Retail Africa Asset Management.

"The owners and developers spared no expense to make sure that all the finishes are absolutely beautiful and of the highest standards," added Inarman. Westwood Mall is the shopping centre component of a much larger overall development that includes the adjacent Westwood Estate residential developments.

The Westwood Mall is a project developed and leased by Retail Africa who are one of the largest developers of shopping centres in South Africa.