Address by Gauteng Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, during the Roof-wetting Ceremony in Protea, Soweto

Programme Director
Ministers Present
MEC’S Present
Mayor of the City of  Johannesburg
Councillors Present
Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

We gather here, this morning, to mark another milestone in the life of a changing landscape of Soweto. Soweto is one of the fast developing areas of Gauteng which has seen major transformation from being the slum of the poor and the forgotten to the city which many are now proud to call home. This restoration of sense of pride has been made possible by the implementation of a clearly thought development trajectory initiated by government and led by the City of Johannesburg. Soweto, today, stands as the glowing example of the government’s expressed intention and determination to dismantle the racially motivated spatial development patterns which entrapped the majority of our people in the periphery of the economic nodes of the country. 

However, with many opportunities and developments occurring in what is referred to as the “previously locked out or emerging economic areas” which includes townships and rural areas, the retail business is booming in these locations. Many retail developers are awaking up to the reality of an existing captive market with the buying power that can be tapped into in most of the townships and rural areas. We have learnt that over 150 retail developments were launched nationally in townships and rural areas between 1962 and 2009. According to reports these developments generated over 30 billion worth of business sales and creating over 54 000 00 permanent jobs since the early eighties.

Following the upswing and growing interests in township investment, Soweto has been leading in terms of attracting such investments in Gauteng. This is attributable to focused execution of development plans and deliberate investment into requisite infrastructure. As a result, Soweto has grown in leaps and bounds making it one of the major competitors in the valuable property market in Gauteng.

Interestingly, one of the areas within Soweto that has experienced incredible growth and transformation is Protea Glen established twenty years ago. This is a medium-density suburb with over 60 000 00 household density and considerable consumer expenditure capacity. It has grown to an area with 13 Extensions. It boasts improved roads, shopping centres, clinics and many other necessary modern amenities. Protea Glen is now one of South Africa’s most desirable places to live, work and invests particularly among young families, first time property owners and investors.

With the development of the new Protea Shopping Centre by Masingita Group of Companies and its partners, the Protea Glen suburb is bound to become one of the attractive areas to live in Soweto. In addition, because of its strategic location, the Shopping Centre is set to become the area’s premier retail development and preferred shopping destination. Therefore, the decision by Masingita Group of Companies to invest in this area is commendable not only for obvious commercial benefits but also for the effect it has had and continues to have in changing many lives for the better.

This development has so far created 600 job opportunities during the construction phase and the projections are such that 100 jobs will be created once the Centre is opened in September. Above this, training for diversified skills within the retail sector will be created through a partnership between the Local Council and the retail SETA.

It is such cooperation between public and private capital that is required for progressive growth and development that our country and the Province in particular need. We therefore would like to urge more investors to cease the opportunities that are presented by the emerging economies such as Protea Glen.

In closing, let me thank all the role players who have been in the forefront of this development. Your efforts and contributions will never go unnoticed.

Dankie. Ngiyabonga.