New Pick n Pay family store offers quality and convenience Kwa-Thema family store opens on Thursday, 15 October

12 October 2009

[Kwa-Thema, Ekhuruleni: 15 October 2009] Kwa-Thema residents will be able to experience the convenience of having their own Pick n Pay family store, which opens on 15 October. This brings to 48 the number of Score stores which have been converted to franchised family stores to date.

Kwa-Thema residents will be able to experience the convenience of having their own Pick n Pay family store, which opens on 15 October. This brings to 48 the number of Score stores which have been converted to franchised family stores to date.

Partners Jabu Mashaba and Simon Ntshangase will offer local customers a superbly designed, world-class store that will stock product ranges specific to their community and their needs.

Jabu, originally from Orlando in Soweto, has a passion for education and sport. He has successfully studied for diplomas in sports management and information technology at Tshwane University of Technology, and marketing at the University of Johannesburg.

Partner Simon completed a business development diploma while at the Peninsula Technikon in Cape Town. He met Jabu while they were both studying at the Pick n Pay Academy.

But both partners point to early childhood experience as being the stimulus for their interest in the retail industry. Jabu’s family owns a bottle store in Soweto and fast food businesses in Klerksdorp in the North West. In addition to assisting the family in the general running of the businesses, Jabu ran the bottle store for four years while he was studying.

As a teenager Simon worked in the local Cradock supermarket after school. As a young man he moved to Cape Town to finish his high schooling and helped out at his uncle’s supermarket in Nyanga township. At one point, he also formed a joint partnership with his brother to run a small spaza shop. Owning a Pick n Pay franchise, however, was Simon’s dream.

He has also served at the Gugulethu, Cape Town branch of NAFCOC for five years as secretary and for two years as chairman. He served a further five years as a provincial council member.

Another similarity between the two partners is their love of sport. While Simon is content to be a soccer spectator, Jabu played professionally for Kaizer chiefs reserves. He represented South Africa at national level in the under 17’s, under 20’s and under 23 divisions. Injury put an end to his career and he only plays the game socially now.

Success drives Simon and he receives inspiration from his three sons. On his future, he says “I am honoured to be a partner in Pick n Pay Kwa-Thema. My only regret in my life is that I can’t share this proud moment with my father, who passed away in 2007 while I was still at the Academy.

The store will carry a wide range of merchandise to suit all needs, from the frequent shoppers to bulk buyers, backed by a full convenience range in keeping with the lifestyle of local residents. The store incorporates a first-class bakery, a top range of meats and poultry and a wide range of fresh produce.