Media questions for Olive Ndebele (Menlyn)
1.An outdoor market in a shopping center is unconventional, why this type of set up and
why now?
Not very unconventional in fact markets at shopping centers are on-trend at the moment
and in true Menlyn style we would like to take an existing concept and make it impactful
and truly meaningful. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on all businesses more
specifically on young upcoming entrepreneurs and this is where a big brand like Menlyn
Park SC can make a difference by offering small a platform to showcase their offering.
Through our partnership with the sheds market, we have offered existing stall vendors an
official venue for the festive period whilst their main location has remained closed for the
past 8 months. this is our way or giving back to the community that serves us at a time that
matters the most.
2.Who is at the center or your focus with the Menlyn Sky market and what feeling do you
hope to create within this person after their experience there for a day?
The sheds market will give Menlyn Park Shopping Center access to a young, upcoming
audience or creatives and trendsetters, highly affluent millennials, an audience we desire to
tap into in order to cater. We hope to draw this new upwardly mobile crowd to the mall and
experience Menlyn Park SC like they have never before by offering them a taste or their
world on our premises.
3.How does the Menlyn regular shopper benefit from having the market there? What does
this market add to my Menlyn experience?
The festive period is recognized as a key holiday celebrated by most South Africans and has
over the years become an essential part or the retail and shopper social calendar.
With a few people opting to not travel far this year due to the pandemic, Menlyn Park
Shopping Center through the market will reposition itself as a key experience destination for
the communities or Tshwane this year by:
Re-imaging the mall space by creating highly, sought-after arts, culture, tourist
attraction where high volumes or visitors go to experience and buy the best or local
art, music, food and design.
Re-connecting with the Tshwane community at large by providing a platform for
local artists, designers, musicians, artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their
talents and goods.
Re-positioning value by showcasing the best of Tshwane at the heart or the city’s
landmark-Menlyn Park Shopping Center.
4.how have you navigated Covid for your tenants and shoppers alike? Or This was a tough
year and yet Menlyn is standing tall and teeming with life- share the secret recipe?
Most of us have never lived through a global pandemic before, this is a n new experience for
all of us and with that said you have a choice to accept the reality or the situation and
navigate through it as best as you can by listening to advise or you can choose to remain
stagnant and in denial with n o results. We at Menlyn Park SD have obviously opted for the
fore rather than the latter.
To be fair there is no ‘secret recipe’ and every leader at the moment is doing their very best
to see their teams at large through these testing times.
5.If we were at the end or 2021looking back to 23 December 2020, what are the five
emotions you are feeling, 3 things you have achieved for the tenant, the shopper and your
staff team?
I don’t have 5 emotions; I will give you a sentence instead.
We did our BEST under the most unfavorable circumstances.
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