A 10 000-square-metre shopping mall is being built at Ongwediva by Makalani Real Estate in conjunction with Tuhumeko Property Developers and M.R. Scmidt Construction at a cost of N$54 million.

During the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday morning, the Chief Executive Officer of Makalani Real Estate, Amalia Schmidt, said the complex will host 43 shops and will employ about 400 workers.

"This will be the first true mall in the North," she said.

According to her, big retailers like Pick 'n Pay are interested in renting space in the mall.

Mayor Erastus Uutoni said at the same occasion: "Ongwediva has now become a place to be, it is a place to sleep comfortably, a place of entertain, and if you want to study with a higher institution, is here in Ongwediva and if you want medical services, don't go far, but rather stay put in Ongwediva town."