Rethabile Pitso
The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) has embarked on the construction of a six-storey shopping complex along Kingsway in Maseru.
Construction of the mall, situated between Metcash Building and NRH Shopping Centre, began on 25 February with the first, two-storey phase scheduled for completion before the end of this year.
According to LNDC Chief Executive Officer Kelebone Leisanyane, the building is part of efforts by the corporation to refurbish and reconstruct its properties affected by the 1998 political riots.
Mr Leisanyane further told the Lesotho Times this week that a local firm, TopNotch, had been contracted to facilitate the construction.
Mr Leisanyane further said the first phase had been estimated to cost M40 million, while the second was yet to be calculated.
“This construction marks the first initiative by LNDC to refurbish and reconstruct its properties affected by the 1998 political riots. The evaluation of LNDC properties and sites in other parts of the country will soon follow,” Mr Leisanyane said.
“This shopping centre has been proposed to go by the name ‘Fairways’ because that’s the name of the building which was at that particular location before the 1998 disturbances.
“So unless there are objections to this name, that’s what the complex is going to be called.”
Mr Leisanyane hailed the LNDC initiative as an “economic-booster as it would not only create much-needed employment but also change the country’s landscape.
He added: “Some of the properties to be evaluated and refurbished include where Sanlam Centre used to be, as well as Clifford Trading along Kingsway in Maseru, Ha-Nyeye Western and Eastern Extensions in Maputsoe, Setsoto Design in Teyateyaneng and former Metro Cash and Carry in Mafeteng.
“We are happy to contribute towards developing the country’s infrastructure, especially where most of these sites which have been lying idle right in the middle of towns, had become an eyesore.
“We hope to change the face of Lesotho for the better and improve services rendered to consumers in more upmarket establishments which would further stimulate more economic investment,” he said.
Wholly owned by government, the LNDC falls under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing, and is mandated with the implementation of the country’s industrial development policies, and promoting Lesotho as an ideal investment destination.
