A collaborative effort between Pick n Pay, the Old Mutual Foundation, Masisizane Fund, National Empowerment Fund, Brimstone, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the City of Cape Town, four Pick n Pay Market stores have now opened in the Western Cape.
Pick n Pay and its partners in the programme upgrade spaza stores to meet the needs of customers and communities, helping to grow a new generation of modern retail entrepreneurs. These store owners remain fully independent and can source products other than those offered by Pick n Pay, the SA retail giant sets minimum standards of operation, range, and pricing to ensure the model is successful.
Liwani has an excellent business track record – having been a partner in a Spar franchise in Nyanga before he sold his share in 2008. He also owns the successful Paradise Liquor store in Nyanga.
He is no stranger to the market store concept as he has partnered with his wife Khosi Liwani Ndwamba at her Ndwamba Market for the past two years.
Paarl is a new challenge, he says: “We are going to offer an outstanding and convenient shopping experience for the residents of Mbekweni. Our store is located near the taxi rank, which means that our customers won’t have to stress about travelling far distances with their purchases and we’re conveniently open until 8pm.”
Liwani quips that his wife will miss having him at their Nyanga store every day, but that the couple in partnership both see it as “a great opportunity for growth and raising the bar on the market store programme.”
Mbekweni Market will offer customers a bakery, a hot food deli section and a grocery offering stocked with edible and non-edible groceries, fresh produce and perishables. Services like money transfer, ticketing, airtime and data, bill payments, lottery tickets and prepaid electricity have also been introduced to the store.
Smart Shoppers will be able to earn points every time they shop at Mbekweni Market.
Pick n Pay deputy CEO Richard van Rensburg says: “This is a superb store, which will bring real benefit to the neighbourhood and will let Zongs build on his success and achieve even more.”
“This is an exciting new step and we’re looking forward to offering our customers the benefit of great prices, a wide selection of quality products and the ability to pay their bills through us. It’s a way to offer the Mbekweni community a well-stocked, low price, stress-free shopping experience and we can’t wait to open our doors,” says Liwani.
