Creation of 200 jobs delayed due to Mikeva fire

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Local landmark, Mikeva Hyper, was set to undergo an expansion that would have created over 200 jobs.

Tuesday's devastating fire has now delayed this as it needs to be restrategised.

The fire, which started after 10:00 yesterday, 27 May, saw large parts of the building destroyed in the blaze.

Massmart Holdings is the employer of the more than 150 people who worked at Mikeva and who had to be evacuated when the fire broke out yesterday.

The future of the employees is uncertain and Mossel Bay Advertiser is trying to get answers from Massmart.

Speaking to Mossel Bay Advertiser at Mikeva today, 28 May, the building owners, the Kritzas family, who have operated Mikeva since 1988, spoke about the fire and the devastation it left in its wake.

Stratos Kritzas told the Advertiser the loss from the fire felt like a death in the family, but he added: “We are relieved there was no loss of life. That’s what matters most. We can worry about everything else later.”

He says Mikeva is more than just a business. “Some of our people have worked with us for over 30 years. They’re not just employees; they are family.”

Kritzas says that when the fire broke out, he told the manager to get all the employees out safely and that they could worry about the building later. He added that an expansion was planned to start in just two months from now.

Mikeva Hyper. Mossel Bay Advertiser took this photo a day after the fire. Photo: Louise Karsten

The development manager of the proposed development, Dewald van Staden, said ground work for the major new development of a convenience centre next to Mikeva, would have started in two months and would have employed between 150 and 200 people.Van Staden said it would have expanded the current retail footprint significantly.

“We were preparing to double the space. Now we’ll have to reassess the entire project. It’s not off the table, but we may need to approach it differently.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed the extent of the structural damage, but early assessments suggest it is severe.

Development manager, Dewald van Staden, kneels in front of the building to take a look inside. Photo: Louise Karsten

The town has become a fundamental part of the Kritzas lives.

"Mossel Bay has given us so much, and we have always tried to give back. This is a massive blow to us as a family.”

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Despite the setback, the family remains committed to rebuilding their business and to involving the community in future plans.

“Whatever we decide, the community will be at the heart of it. We see this as a community project,” he added.

The Kritzas family want to thank all emergency services, the Mossel Bay traffic department, Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management as well as councillor Leon van Dyk for their swift response and assistance.

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