By Staff Reporter
DAN CITY – After several delays, construction at the long-awaited Dan City Mall has officially resumed, bringing renewed hope for economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure development in the Greater Tzaneen area.
The Dan Development Committee, together with members of the Dan Trust and Dan Steering Committee, recently conducted a site visit to assess progress on land clearing and groundwork. Officials confirmed that 15 local community members have already been employed, with additional recruitment expected as the project advances. Early hires were selected through a fair and transparent evaluation process.
The mall, located along the R36 in Dan Village, is projected to open in March 2027. Originally planned to begin in early 2024 by McCormick Property Development (MPD), led by founder John McCormick, delays have pushed the completion date, but stakeholders remain optimistic about meeting the revised timeline.
Dan City Mall is part of a larger mixed-use development, which will include a motor city, school, hospital, and residential areas. The mall itself will feature 36,000m² of retail space within a total footprint of 146,000m², housing three major grocery anchors, fashion and lifestyle stores, food and entertainment offerings, banks, and essential services.
The design incorporates local cultural elements alongside environmentally friendly features such as natural lighting, solar power, waste management systems, and rainwater harvesting. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and provide opportunities for local businesses. A community liaison representative expressed gratitude that local involvement is being prioritized.
Despite the optimism, controversy remains over a gravesite on the project site, with residents of Nkowankowa, Dan Village, and surrounding areas expressing concerns. Families involved have vowed to continue their fight regarding the matter.
The R3 billion development, initially estimated in 2022, is now the largest venture of its kind in Limpopo Province. Officials note that weather, particularly rain, is likely the only major factor that could delay construction moving forward.
