AN estimated 40000 customers flocked to the grand opening of Limpopo's newest shopping mall yesterday.

The R1,2billion Mall of the North was a hive of activity as people jostled for opening specials.

The Mall of the North's opening has also opened hundreds of job opportunities and seems to have changed the shopping habits of the people of Polokwane and its surrounding townships and villages.

Sumari de Ridder, the mall's general manager, said more than 40000 people had gone through the mall by the close of business yesterday.

The opening was almost marred by violence between the Polokwane-Seshego and Mankweng-Polokwane taxi associations.

The two factions are apparently at loggerheads over lucrative routes leading to the new mall. Despite the threat of violence, all the 180 shops in the mall said business was booming.

This shopping complex brings the biggest and most comprehensive selection of up-market shops and eateries to Limpopo's capital.

The shopping complex's major tenants include Checkers and Pick n Pay. It also houses the latest concepts from Edgars, Woolworths and Game while Ster-Kinekor has the province's biggest cinema complex.

Kate Kganyago from GaMashashane, west of Polokwane, is one of the many people who benefitted from the new mall's employment opportunities.

"The opening of the new mall for me marks the end of poverty. After many years looking for a job, the opening of this mall has brought me happiness," said Kganyago, who reported for duty at Checkers liquor store.

Safura Sherif, of Checkers, said they had employed 220 workers as cashiers, till packers, supervisors and administrators.