Rich pickings for Mtuba

Business boost for Mtuba - Officially open for business! Cutting the ribbon at the launch of Mtubatuba’s new Pick n Pay on Wednesday were owner - Angela Blom, Pick n Pay CEO - Nick Badmington, Mtubatuba Mayor - CG Swartz, Chairperson of the Mpukunyoni Traditional Authority - MC Zungu and owner Dion Blom

Gold rush - customers stream in for their first shopping experience at the new Pick n Pay

First customer to make it to the till - Steve van Rooyen

The saying goes that rain brings good luck. And just as the doors opened for the first customers to enter the new Pick n Pay Mtubatuba on Wednesday, the rain came down. Dignitaries from the area arrived in style and had words of blessings for the town’s long awaited new shopping centre. Chairman of the Mpukonyoni Traditional Authority, MC Zungu said a lot of speculation from the community went on while construction was in process: ‘It’s too fancy for a school, too big for a courtyard and way too small for a jail! What can it be? ‘To everybody’s relief it turned out to be a Pick n Pay with great bargains.’ CEO Nick Badmington congratulated owners Angela and Dion Blom on their new venture and the fact that they treat the staff like family. ‘That’s what we’re about, family. If the staff treats the customers like family they will come back.’ All agreed that the new shopping facility would lift Mtubatuba’s business standards. An added benefit was that consumers no longer have to travel to Durban or Richards Bay and that consumer spending would be kept in the local economy.