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LOCAL ENTITIES SHARE OVER E1 MILLION FOR OK FOODS KWALUSENI REFURBISHMENT

By Simon Shabangu | 2019-09-22

LOCAL private contractors have shared over E1 million in payments for services rendered during the refurbishment of OK Foods, Kwaluseni.

This was revealed by the Director of Linac Investment Lincoln Motsa during the re-launch of the revamped branch yesterday.

Motsa said the expansion of the store had also created 15 more jobs for Emaswati, stating that they would soon be reaching the 600 mark of job opportunities for local people.

“This project was carried out by local contractors and these included plumbing, electrical, tiling and structural works. The above contractors have shared among themselves over one million Emalangeni for services rendered. We also want to thank Nedbank Eswatini for their continued support. This project has been made possible through their financial assistance. Nedbank has been an integral part of our business for the past 10, and again we are grateful to them for helping us ‘see money differently’.

The expansion has created an additional 15 job opportunities for Emaswati, more especially the community of Kwaluseni, and this brings the Linac Group very close to the 600 mark in terms of staff compliment," Motsa added. Motsa said they were excited about the growth they have realised noting that the project has brought the much desired transformation of the Kwaluseni area. He thanked their customers for their support and patience as the upgrades was done while the store was in full operation.

He said the area has also opened up business opportunities for many other companies including banks and other strategic businesses like pharmacy, hardware and MTN Service centre among others.

“I am sure Kwaluseni will soon be declared a town if the Matsapha Town Council does not adopt us first. This centre is now a one stop shop as it provides all the services that under normal circumstances were previously only accessible in major towns and cities," he added.

Motsa also thanked the Ok Franchise division for their endless support and guidance. He said retail is a very dynamic and complex industry, that requires a lot of attention to detail, and that is why it is often referred to as FMCG, meaning fast moving consumer goods, which keep on changing every day. He said without the support of OK, they would not have reached the stage they in.

Motsa said their business profile had seen them expand the business to eight supermarket stores and three liquor shops. “When we opened this branch in the year 2014, it was our flagship store and it was the first outlet in the Linac Group to have all service departments. As Linac management, we are forever trying to improve our offering to customers, not only the products on our shelves but also the look and feel of our outlets in-order to ensure a pleasurable shopping experience at all times, hence the revamp this outlet,” Motsa said.

Prince Sicalo advises foreign investors against establishing businesses on SNL

HIS Royal Highness Prince Sicalo has advised foreign investors to focus on starting businesses in the cities instead of going into rural areas, as this was reserved for indigenous business people.

The prince said this during the re-launch of OK Foods Kwaluseni, where he was the guest speaker.

He said the country has nothing against foreign investors because it was open for business, but stressed that rural community businesses must be owned by indigenous people for the country to develop holistically.

He thanked His Majesty King Mswati III for establishing the Eswatini Commercial Amadoda, which was responsible for regulating the setting up of businesses on Swazi Nation Land.

“What is now happening in the rural areas is not right and I urge the minister representing the commerce minister to look into the issue. We welcome our friends from other countries to join us and start businesses in the country but they must be based in the cities and the areas which are demarcated for business establishment. We hope the minister will attend to this issue and ensure the indigenous businesses are protected. I also charge the minister to also ensure that these people have access to finance,” he said.

The prince also congratulated the Motsa family for their resilience and growth they have achieved, especially the creation of jobs for Emaswati. He said this was an indication that even local business people were capable of starting and successfully running businesses.

“ It is pleasing to know that the business had created over 500 job opportunities for the people,” he said.

The event was also attended by Minister of Public Service Christian Ntshangase, who represented his Commerce Industry and Trade counterpart Manqoba Khumalo who is abroad on other national duties. PS Siboniso Nkambule and representatives of the local community leadership were also in attendance.

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