Good Evening!

On behalf of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal and the people of this province, we are grateful that we are part of this grand occasion which marks yet another huge milestone in our recovery efforts as the province.

Today is a day wherein as the province we should all walk tall because the owners of this massive mall have put us on the global map. This grand opening continues the critical journey of the economic revival of our province. Hope springs eternally as we welcome and celebrate the spanking new Oceans Mall, a R1,3 billion investment which is part of the mix use Oceans Development in Umhlanga.

The Oceans Mall, will create 2500 jobs, has 120 stores with Woolworths and Checkers as its anchor tenants and 14 exciting new restaurants. With Oceans Umhlanga, tourists and local people can expect world-class offerings with numerous international and local fashion brands.

We are grateful to Mr and Mrs Reddy and everyone at the Oceans Mall family for not only being great leaders in business but alsopatriotic visionaries. We want to congratulate you because this development is symbolic ofthe great vision that you have for our province and country.

I want to thank you all for your confidence in the economy of KwaZulu-Natal, your confidence and investment in the province.
I promise you that you will be very happy when you reap the return on your investments. Because I’m speaking about a family ofphilanthropist and a patron of a number of humanitarian initiatives, I know that your satisfaction is not just the profit margins, but also the incubation and growth of more business leaders, job creation and driving investments that catapult the reputation of our city of Durban and the Province of KwaZulu-Natal forward.

Not only is this investment a huge vote of confidence in the economy and recovery prospects of the province, but it means that our province will now have some of the high- end retail shops that were not available here before.

Despite recent devastating incidents the people of KwaZulu-Natal remained resolute and resilient – picked up the pieces and embarked on a united journey of economic recovery – which is now yielding fruits.

The opening of the Oceans Mall could not have happened at the right time – it occurs as the province is gearing for the festive season, which will see throngs of visitors coming to KwaZulu-Natal to spend their hard-earned income.

The influx of visitors and tourists to our beautiful province is always welcomed because it boosts the economic coffers of the province.

The creation of jobs is the crucial step in the direction of economic recovery and revival. Today, we launched our Integrated Safety Month and Festive Season Campaign to ensure that KwaZulu-Natal is safe, peaceful, and incident-free during the festive season and beyond.

We are told that this is the first phase of the mall. If today’s glitz and glamour is anything to go by, we expect to see more of it during the second phase – which we are told will take place around March next year.

Once again, we congratulate one of our own visionary business leaders, Mr and Mrs Vivian Reddy, for your unwavering confidence in the economy and the futuretrajectory of this province.

You are living proof to the adage that charity begins at home. May your energetic resolve to bolster the economy of the province never subside.

Tonight, let’s celebrate the bright prospects of Umhlanga, of KwaZulu Natal. Let us toast to this auspicious opening of Oceans Mall and shop till we drop.

Let us Grow KwaZulu-Natal’s economy Together.

I thank you!