Bereng Mpaki
THE Masianokeng Lifestyle Centre has created at least 120 jobs since construction started.
The construction of the M54 million worth property is nearing completion and shareholders say the project has so far positively impacted onto the lives of 120 people and 15 local companies.
The centre is situated in Masianokeng along the Main South I Road.
The companies that engaged in the project provide services that include engineering, architectural design, quantity surveying, property development and various other consulting services.
“As we all know, the country has a high rate of unemployment and for now this centre has employed 120 people but we are expecting that even more permanent jobs will be created once the centre opens,” Ms Seturumane said.
MASIANOKENG Lifestyle Centre shareholder Sam Mphana with Communications consultant Bintu Petsana
Ms Seturumane said this during a tour of the facility this week. The event was attended by the regent principal chief of Maseru, James Bolepo Theko and area chief Frank Mapetla and corporate players.
The centre is owned by Lesego Holdings – a consortium of Basotho business people, among them Sam Mphana and Ms Seturumane.
For his part, Mr Mphana said it was important for Basotho to support efforts to reduce unemployment instead of leaving the responsibility to only government.
“The current high unemployment levels in the country create a fertile environment for criminals to thrive in and sooner or later we will reap the fruits thereof. That is what we are trying to address with this project,” Mr Mphana said.”
Ms Seturumane said the centre would also give the residents of Masianokeng and surrounding areas shopping and lifestyle convenience as they would avoid the hustle of driving into the congested Maseru central business district (CBD).
Apart from Masianokeng, the centre will also serve people from Ha-Matala, Ha-Paki, Ha-Abia, Ha-Nelese, Makhoakhoeng, Mazenod, Lithabaneng, Ha-Mapetla and the country’s southern districts.
Ms Seturumane added that the project was the result of the dream of patriotic Basotho who have been inspired by what they have seen in their travels around the world.
She said 85 percent of the space in the centre is already booked but they were confident the space will be fully occupied by the time the centre opens.
The space boasts of two anchor tenants namely Pick n Pay store and Cashbuild hardware. Other tenants include Nedbank Lesotho; Standard Lesotho Bank ATM; Econet Telecom Lesotho; clothing stores such as TNT Boutique and City Fabrix among others.
Ms Seturumane said there would also be restaurants and a pharmacy at the centre while the second phase would have a motor centre.
“Over time, we see the centre having a positive impact on the current traffic congestion in the Maseru city centre as more people from Masianokeng and surrounding areas choose to stay and shop in their neighbourhood.
“Currently, people living and working in Masianokeng and its surroundings travel to Maseru for shopping malls, adding to the already existing traffic congestion,” Ms Seturumane said.
