Pictured above are Mr Jabulani Zikhali (The developer), Inkosi Zikhali and some members of the Mbila Traditional Council, members of the Ingonyama Trust Board during the official opening of one of the shops at the Mbazwana Crossing.
Thursday, 24 April 2025
Mbazwana, KwaZulu-Natal – The Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), in partnership with the Mbila Traditional Council under the leadership of Inkosi Zikhali, is proud to announce the successful facilitation of land access for the development of a R200 million shopping complex in Mbazwana. Located in the northern region of KwaZulu-Natal and entirely situated on Ingonyama Trust land, this initiative marks a significant milestone in the Board’s mission to unlock rural land for sustainable economic and social development.
The visionary behind the latest development project is esteemed local entrepreneur Mr. Jabulani Zikhali. A seasoned businessman with deep roots in Mbazwana, Mr. Zikhali has built a reputation for establishing and managing successful business ventures over the years.
In collaboration with the renowned Pistorius Group of Companies, Mr. Zikhali has played a pivotal role in bringing this significant development to life. Their combined expertise and commitment to excellence have made this project possible, promising positive impacts for the local community and beyond.
Strategically positioned near the popular tourist destination of Sodwana Bay, Mbazwana is rapidly emerging as a rural hub of investment and growth. This development not only reflects strong investor confidence but also positions the town as a future-ready economic node in KwaZulu-Natal.
Key Community Benefits
Job Creation
- Construction Phase: 250 jobs were created, with approximately 70% of the workforce sourced locally through a transparent ward-based selection process, ensuring fair and inclusive participation.
- Operational Phase: Over 400 permanent jobs have been created by tenants, with employment preference given to local applicants verified by traditional council-issued proof of residence.
Skills Development
- Tertiary students in civil engineering, project management, and occupational health and safety were offered internship/apprenticeship opportunities.
- Employed locals were issued certificates of competence in trades like bricklaying and scaffolding—valuable credentials for future employment.
Support for Informal Traders
- Informal traders are accommodated in the retail zone near the taxi rank with formalized facilities including food preparation and fire-safe areas, offices, toilets, and a shared boardroom—all rent-free at a cost exceeding R6 million to the developers.
- This initiative integrates informal traders into the formal economy and places them at a prime commercial location within the mall precinct.
The stalls for the local informal traders who have been intergrated into this development
The food preparation area for the informal traders
Transport Infrastructure
- Taxi rank facilities have been upgraded to improve accessibility and accommodate the growing population and business activity.
Entrepreneurship & Local Business Opportunities
- 10% of the rental space is allocated to local entrepreneurs, despite financial institutions’ preference for national anchor tenants.
- This move strengthens local ownership and drives homegrown economic development.
Community Income
- Rental proceeds from the developer lease agreement will directly benefit the community, contributing to long-term local upliftment.
Progress and Institutional Transformation
Historically, the process of approving development documentation on Ingonyama Trust land was slow and cumbersome. However, since 2023, significant improvements have been recorded, including quicker turnaround times and increased responsiveness when urgency was required.
While early interactions with the Board were described as frustrating and inefficient, the current administration the CEO and his team has received commendation for their professionalism during key stages such as lease and bond registration. Though a few challenges remain, the leadership has shown marked progress and is considered a valuable asset to the future of the Trust.
Beyond Economics: A Social Re-Engineering Project
This project represents far more than economic development, it is a social cohesion and transformation initiative. Key downstream benefits include:
- Increased demand for housing, stimulating the local construction industry.
- Income generation for homestead owners through accommodation rentals.
- Enhanced transport connectivity to newly developed routes.
- Improved law enforcement visibility, contributing to community safety.
- Increased investor interest and tourism attractiveness due to added conveniences.
For years, Mbazwana had no access to essential banking services, forcing residents to travel up to 70km to surrounding towns for basic transactions. The new mall includes full banking facilities, significantly reducing travel costs and unlocking productivity for local businesses and tourism operators.
This development connects Mbazwana to the modern South African economy, aligning the rural town with the realities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enhancing the standard of living for its residents.
“The upliftment of our traditional council areas will always be our priority. Since our inception, we have carefully considered every development request and provided the necessary support to bring them to life,” said Advocate Zama, Deputy Chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board.
