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E5BN DEVELOPMENTS TAKE SHAPE

03/08/2018 02:36:00 BY KWANELE DHLADHLA

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MBABANE – Brace yourself to experience the ambience of stepping into new buildings valued at nearly E5 billion being erected along the Mbabane- Manzini corridor.

These buildings, which are being built mainly by public enterprises, are set to shape the outlook of the country’s landscape while also improving job creation as nearly 2 000 people have been hired by the contractors combined.

The priciest of the structures is the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel which is being constructed by the Kukhanya, Inyatsi and Stefanutti Stocks Joint Venture valued at over E2 billion. The total number of jobs created could not be immediately ascertained but a construction expert projected that between 500 and 1000 people had been hired when taking into consideration the magnitude of the project being undertaken.

In the opposite direction of the state of the art hotel and convention centre, is the almost complete Swaziland Revenue Authority (SRA) headquarters which was projected to cost E400 million. The principal contractor is Stefanutti Stocks and the Project Managers are APM Consulting while MA Consulting Engineers take care of the engineering aspect.

Constructed

Within the same periphery, a multimillion office park and shopping complex is also being constructed by MA Properties.
The property, which sits on a 8 000 square metres plot opposite Corner Plaza, comprises of 15 double storey office spaces and a retail centre to be operated by OK Foods as the anchor tenant.

The structure to be completed in November is already 60 per cent complete. The construction tender was awarded to the Mbhilibhi Group while Project Management is undertaken by professionals from MA Consulting Engineers. The total number of jobs created is about 200.
Also at Ezulwini, the upsurge for leisure and conferencing facilities prompted Happy Valley to construct an additional 60 rooms worth E73 million.

General Manager Luigi Rosi previously explained that Construction Associates (CA) had been granted the tender to undertake the development of additional rooms with different sizes to be fitted with exclusive furniture and fittings.

Rosi said construction works at the Swaziland National Provident Fund (SNPF) owned establishment began in May last year and were expected to be completed in November this year.
“As a company, we prioritise presenting business opportunities to local companies, which provides the main reason why Construction Associates was appointed,” said Rosi.

In terms of job creation, Site Agent Bongani Khumalo from Construction Associates previously explained that 180 Swazis had been provided with a steady source of income as a result of the development. Khumalo said 65 people were employed by CA directly while the rest of the employees had been employed by sub-contractors.

In Manzini, Tibiyo TakaNgwane intends constructing a three storey building that will comprise of 36 flats and a shop valued at approximately E30 million.
During a scoping meeting, it was disclosed that the development will be located on portion eight (a portion of portion three) of Farm three strategically located on the periphery of the northern side and gateway of the current Central Business District (CBD) adjacent to other prime facilities such as the Nazarene Hospital, Old Trade Fair Grounds, Riverstone Mall and the Manzini City Council offices.

The site has prime access from the MR3 principal route into Manzini from the Matsapha, Ezulwini, Malkerns and Mbabane direction and within walking distance of the Manzini Bus Rank. The total numbers of jobs were estimated to be more than 100 people.
In the capital city, the Hilton Garden Inn being constructed by the Public Service Pension Fund PSFP is almost complete as well.

Meanwhile, the Finance Development Corporation (FINCORP) is also constructing a five storey building worth E73.4 million with two underground parking levels to house their operations. The ongoing development is being erected along Gwamile Street on Lot 663 by Aveng Grinaker, Du Van and Roots (ADR) joint venture.