Parklane SuperSpar is firmly committed to Pietermaritzburg in honour of the legacy of businessman Cameron Mackenzie who passed away earlier this year.
Management of the businesses has passed to the trustees of the CMK Trust who are confident that the structures put in place by Mackenzie will ensure the long-term future of the businesses.
Chairman of the Trust, Paul Firman said Mackenzie’s investment in Parklane SuperSpar and the Pietermaritzburg community over the last 40 years will be honoured.
“We’re fully committed to ensuring that his legacy lives on. Our support of the community at large, as well as various cultural and sporting events around the City will be maintained,” Firman said.
“Our aim is to continue trading as Cameron would have for the foreseeable future.”
The success of Parklane SuperSpar, and Parklane TOPS - another of Mackenzie’s businesses - is based on the solid platform of service, quality and value, said General Manager of the Parklane Group and Parklane Centre, Brett Austen Smith.
“Those principles are being applied throughout the businesses to continue the offering to the greater Pietermaritzburg public,” he said.
Austen Smith paid tribute to the public for its support over the past year.
“In KZN, we have suffered numerous disastrous events, plus the passing of Cameron recently. Our customers and supporters have been truly amazing. We’re very grateful for this support, and will do our very best to continue Cameron’s legacy. We are privileged to have such a great platform to work from,” he said.
Mackenzie had enough faith in the city and Parklane SuperSpar customer base to expand the butchery and revamped the coffee shop during the Covid lockdown, said Austen Smith.
“The Parklane Butchery offers an excellent range of high quality meat and delicacies, and the Parklane Café coffee shop is a vibrant and bustling hub of activity.”
Austen Smith said the iconic Parklane TOPS annual wine festival made a highly successful comeback after the Covid enforced lockout.
“This was one of Cameron’s most treasured events. We are serving a knowledgeable and passionate wine-drinking community, and we are proud to display the city’s widest selection of wines and other liquor. Parklane TOPS is certainly at the centre of the growth in this market, ” said Austen Smith.
Parklane SuperSpar and TOPS has been instrumental in reviving one of Pietermaritzburg most loved events, the Capital Climb.
With the support of Spring Meadow Dairies and other Parklane SuperSpar suppliers, Capital Climb is taking place on Sunday, October 30. The start/finish is Voortrekker High School with participants picking either a 5-km or 15-km route to World’s View.
“We’re really looking forward to being part of the Capital Climb again and serving many of our customers on the day. Our suppliers and co-sponsors have been very generous again, so all runners will be in for a wonderful surprise.” said Austen Smith.
“Parklane SuperSpar and Parklane TOPS, and the Parklane Shopping Centre in Maritzburg are here to stay,” said Austen Smith.
Pictured here Left to Right: Lesley Seethal (Parklane SuperSpar General Manager), Paul Firman (CMK Family Trust Chair), and Brett Austen Smith (Parklane Group General Manager).
Supplied.