Since the 1980s, the Swazi Plaza has been a constant feature in the Mbabane City Centre, starting as just one building and gradually developing over the years. Today, the Plaza has transformed into Eswatini’s leading shopping destination, extending to 11 buildings with over 200 local and international businesses. One key aspect of the Plaza’s facilities is the provision of parking for shoppers coming from around the Kingdom and beyond.
Working closely with the official parking partner Interpark, the Plaza’s facilities are safe, affordable, convenient and spacious. From as little as E3 (Free on Sundays and Public Holidays), shoppers have access to 4 floors of 24-hour parking bays (including designated spots for people with disabilities), covering over 20 000 sqm. To top it off, each floor is under constant surveillance from CCTV cameras, private security personnel, and the Royal Eswatini Police Service members stationed at the Police Post on the ground floor.
Looking at how parking is a shared service used by hundreds of motorists a day, we must work together to increase efficiency and minimise frustrations.
As a mini-refresher course, we’ve compiled a list of some basic pointers that we can all keep in mind while parking at the Plaza. The list is divided into two categories:
The Green Zone– the actions, rules and behaviour that we encourage to ensure that you and others have a pleasant parking experience.
Always park in reverse and ensure that your vehicle is within the parking lines.
Ensure that doors and windows are tightly locked, and remove valuables from sight.
Time your parking to track how much you’ll spend and keep coins handy at the pay station (wrinkled notes may be rejected).
Keep your parking ticket safe and within reach.
Quickly report suspicious behaviour and rule violations to security personnel.
The Red Zone – the actions, rules and behaviour that we discourage to ensure that you and others have a pleasant parking experience.
Parking/waiting in unauthorised spots (e.g., reserved parking) and zones (e.g., pay station) can lead to clamping with a E100 release fee.
Leaving children or pets alone in the car.
Loitering in or out of the car.
To the majority of our shoppers that consistently abide by parking rules and regulations, siyabonga! To the rest, asibambisane and work together, there’s more than enough space for you in the Green Zone!
A trip into town to do shopping doesn’t always have to be daunting and exhausting. If you try out the tips below, you will experience things from a different perspective and become a better shopper!
Chances are that you visit a Shopping Centre at least once a month – for some even more frequently. If we are being honest, most of us don’t look forward to these visits. We think about the time it takes out of our schedule, the long queues or finding that our favourite product is out of stock. Understandably, this makes the whole experience stressful before you even get started.
What if we told you that there are 3 ways that you could improve your experience when you are out shopping? The good news is that a little preparation before your next visit into town will drastically change your mindset and mood – making it a worthwhile activity that you can look forward to.
Let’s go through each of the 3 tips and habits…
Tip #1 – Make a list
The value of drawing up a comprehensive list of your needs and wants is the foundation for any effective shopper. When done ahead of time, it gives you the chance to put some thought into it, align it to your budget and get the input of those you live with. Thankfully, due to technological advancements, your smartphone can replace the pen and paper method for making lists. If your smartphone doesn’t have a dedicated application for notes (or you don’t like the default option), there’s plenty of choices in your app gallery.
Finally, Phatsa Sakho Nawe and make sure to pack your reusable shopping bags before leaving home. A small individual action on your part has a big impact on protecting the environment through reducing single-use plastic bags in the Kingdom.
Tip #2 – It’s all about Timing
The time of day when you embark on your shopping duties has a direct effect on the quality of your overall experience. Shoppers have consistently acknowledged the benefit of starting in the morning and there are good reasons for this. Firstly, in the morning, your mind and body generally function at optimal levels, making it the ideal time to visit the stores and have the energy to get things done.
The additional benefit of an early timeslot is the minimal foot traffic that you are likely to encounter, which means less crowded spaces and shorter in-store queues. All these factors also contribute to improving your state of mind, knowing that you will be able to complete your shopping needs and still have the rest of the day to make other plans with family and friends.
Tip #3 – Stay connected with your favourite stores
Once again, your smartphone can act as your personal assistant in the journey to being a better shopper! Use it to stay in touch with your favourite retailers through social media and have direct access to a whole host of information, from operating hours to the hottest specials and everything else in between.
Connecting virtually is only half the job. When you are at your favourite store, make sure you keep your eyes open for in-store promotions and sales to get more value for your money. Take advantage of price catalogues that some retailers place at the entrance and make sure to take a copy home. It will be helpful when you draw up your next shopping list!
Bonus Tip: Continue to take the lead in protecting yourself and others from COVID-19
Shopping can often be a fast-paced and frantic activity, often in crowded spaces. Although the Kingdom has eased COVID-19 restrictions to Adjusted Risk Level 0, it’s essential to uphold measures (such as testing or wearing a mask) when experiencing flu-like symptoms and vaccination remains encouraged.
There you have it, the top 3 (and bonus) tips and habits to transform you into a more effective and responsible shopper! In the spirit of staying in touch and putting your smartphone to use, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear and learn from the shopping tips that have worked for you.
