Businesses are flocking to Plettenberg Bay thanks to the opening of the newly built Boxer Kwanokuthula Crossing Centre. 

The latest to open at the Centre is a mini-Nedbank branch inside the Boxer store, allowing customers to perform everything they would do in a normal-sized branch. 

The partnership between Boxer and Nedbank in the community could see consumers saving time and money. 

Bitou Executive Mayor, Cllr. Dave Swart and Bitou Deputy Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mavis Busakwe expressed excitement at the launch on Friday. 

Cllr Swart said that the municipality's role is to create an enabling environment for businesses and investment and the opening of Boxer this week was just that. 

He said: “The opening of this centre is brilliant for the community as they do not have to travel to town to get essentials and banking advice. 

Cllr Busakwe agreed with Cllr Swart saying that beyond the convenience, the opening of the store created employment opportunities. 

“I am elated that more businesses will open here meaning more jobs for our locals.

“We want more businesses to open, I am thankful to Boxer Stores for opening their store here,” Cllr Busakwe added.  

Ward 5 councillor, Samkele Mangxaba, said this project managed to raise local SMMEs from the marginalisation and bureaucratic exclusions and moved them to the centre of mainstream economy. 

He said the opening of Boxer marked a milestone and a full circle moment as the land it was built on was once an open field and illegal dumpsite. 

Regional manager for Nedbank Consumer Business, Randall Bailey, said this strategic partnership was part of the need to bring banking services to the communities. 

He said: “Whatever we do in the full branch, we can do here. We want to meet people where they are and not wait for them to come to us.