Malkerns- The expansion of Malkerns Square is beginning to translate into tangible opportunities for
local farmers, workers and contractors, with the development creating a growing ecosystem of
businesses and households that is increasingly sourcing services and products from within Eswatini.
Speaking during a media tour of the development on Thursday, Chief Executive officer of Pick n Pay
Eswatini Mario Fernandes and property operations said the expansion was creating additional
employment while also opening a bigger market for local agricultural producers.
With the opening of a much bigger Pick ‘n’ Pay Stores and Liquor, ESDI a fruits and vegetables retail
shop, clothing shop and eatery, the retail operations are expected to support close to 100 jobs this year,
including new positions arising from the expansion and relocation of retail space.
Fernandes said it would add about 20 employees as a result of moving into a larger store, while the
produce market already supports about 30 employees.
The CEO highlighted that its strategy was to prioritise local suppliers and farmers before turning to
imports, saying it had been engaging with local producers to increase the amount of locally sourced food
sold through its operations.
This, he said, was part of a deliberate effort to reduce reliance on South African suppliers and
strengthen local agricultural value chains.
The retailer pointed to developments in the dairy and poultry industries as evidence that local
production was increasingly capable of meeting domestic demand.
According to the CEO, locally produced dairy has reached a point where imports from South Africa are
no longer required for its operations, while chicken sold through its outlets is also locally produced.
Beef remains a challenge, however, particularly in terms of quality, highlighting the gaps that still need
to be addressed if Eswatini is to further reduce its dependence on imported food.
The retailer said the growth in demand was encouraging farmers to recognise the opportunities
presented by supplying the local market.
“We want to try and avoid things coming too far from South Africa and work with farmers to produce
the produce,” he stressed.
With more than 200 residential apartments already occupied, the development has created an ongoing
demand for services including cleaning, landscaping, security and maintenance.
The property operations employ teams to service the residential component, including cleaners,
landscapers, security personnel and maintenance workers.
The development’s security operation alone includes shifts covering the residential properties, while
additional staff are employed to maintain the grounds and provide other property services.
The construction phase is also supporting local businesses and professionals, with contractors,
subcontractors, engineers and consultants involved in the continued expansion of the development.
A major construction project currently underway involves a 150-apartment building, while additional
retail developments are also being constructed.
Meanwhile, the Project Manager Lylen Hutton said most of the professional services involved in the
projects were being sourced locally, allowing expenditure associated with the development to circulate
within the domestic economy.
The expansion is therefore creating economic activity at several levels, from farmers supplying food and
workers employed by retailers to contractors, security companies, maintenance teams and professional
consultants involved in developing and servicing the property.
The development’s management said this broader economic contribution was an important part of the
rationale behind the continued investment at Malkerns Square.
With further residential, retail and hospitality developments planned, the development is positioning
itself not merely as a property project but as an emerging economic node capable of generating
sustained demand for local goods, services and labour.
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