BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MALKERNS — Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has stated that the successful completion and opening of Malkerns Parkview PicknPay demonstrates what can be achieved when Government, investors, businesses and communities work together to create meaningful economic and social impact.
Khumalo made the remarks on Thursday during the official opening of Malkerns Parkview PicknPay, describing the development as more than just a new shopping centre, but an investment that responds to the changing needs of a growing Malkerns community.
The Minister said the development brings quality goods and essential services closer to residents while contributing to the broader transformation of the area.
“As communities develop, the needs of the people who live and work in them also evolve,” Khumalo said.
He said people increasingly want access to quality goods and services closer to where they live, as well as convenience, choice and environments where they can conduct their daily activities efficiently.
Khumalo said Malkerns Parkview responds directly to these needs by bringing together a range of retail and essential services, including groceries, pharmacy services, laundry, hardware, packaging and dining.
The development also forms part of the wider Malkerns Square vision of creating an integrated environment where people can live, work, shop and enjoy community life.
The Minister emphasised that Government alone cannot drive economic development, saying the private sector remains critical in turning investment opportunities into businesses, infrastructure, jobs and economic activity.
“Economic development is not the responsibility of Government alone,” he said.
He said Government’s responsibility was to create an enabling environment for investment, support enterprise development, improve the regulatory environment and facilitate economic participation.
However, he said private investors ultimately translate those opportunities into tangible developments such as Malkerns Parkview.
Khumalo highlighted that the economic benefits of the development extend beyond the buildings themselves.
During construction, he said, opportunities were created for contractors, artisans, suppliers and other service providers. Now that the centre is operational, he said the economic impact will continue through permanent employment, tenant businesses, security and maintenance services, logistics and other supporting enterprises.
“Every business operating from this centre contributes to the circulation of money within our economy,” he said.
He added that every employee earning an income represented a household supported by economic activity, while local suppliers securing business from tenants represented another enterprise participating in the value chain.
Khumalo therefore urged that developments such as Malkerns Parkview be viewed not merely as property investments, but as investments in communities and the wider economy.
He also welcomed the businesses that have established themselves at the centre, urging them to prioritise quality, customer service, innovation and value for money.
At the same time, he encouraged residents of Malkerns to support the businesses operating within the precinct, saying community participation would ultimately determine the success and longevity of the centre.
The Minister said Government, through his ministry, would continue pursuing reforms and programmes aimed at improving the ease of doing business, supporting MSMEs, facilitating investment and strengthening the competitiveness of the economy.
He said Government would continue working with the private sector to identify barriers to investment and enterprise development and find practical solutions.
“The success of Malkerns Parkview should remind us that when Government, investors, businesses and communities work together, we can create developments that have a meaningful economic and social impact,” Khumalo said.
Meanwhile, ENPF Chief Executive Officer Futhi Tembe described the opening of Pick n Pay at Malkerns Parkview as a significant milestone for shareholders, saying the supermarket had brought a “first-world” experience to Eswatini.
Tembe said what began in 2017 as a bold vision with only four shops had grown into something remarkable, describing the latest development as a moment of pride, progress and promise.
The Minister was joined at the opening by Minister of Housing and Urban Development Apollo Maphalala.
Khumalo said the opening should not be regarded as the end of the journey, but as another milestone in the continued development of Malkerns.
He said Government looked forward to the wider Malkerns Square development evolving into a precinct combining quality living, commercial activity, services, recreation and community life.
He officially declared Malkerns Parkview open, congratulating the developers, tenants, business partners, contractors and all those who contributed to the project.
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