26 Aug 2014

Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu has credited supermarkets for creating job opportunities for Batswana.



Speaking during the official opening of Shoppers Supermarket in Tlokweng recently, Ms Makgato-Malesu said the setting up of more companies in the country was a clear indication of the level of confidence investors had towards the country.



She said her ministry had been mandated to provide a conducive environment for growing the economy and creating wealth through investment, industrialisation, economic diversification and trade, adding that it was a fact that employment opportunities could be created as many companies set up or expands operations in the country.



Ms Makgato-Malesu said the opening of Shoppers Supermarket was a clear demonstration that Sefalana was determined to expand its operations in Botswana and therefore creating employment and wealth.

 She noted that the opening of the supermarket had created 53 jobs for citizens and one for an expatriate.

Minister Makgato-Malesu said Shoppers was the 18th supermarket to have been opened by Sefalana in the last three years.

 She said it was a great opportunity that Sefalana was in the process of opening other Shoppers supermarkets in Ghanzi and Orapa in September and October respectively.

The minister said an additional supermarket in Tlokweng showed the Sefalana Group’s investment portfolio as not only for revenue generation but an investment in human capital.



Ms Makgato- Malesu said she welcomes employment created in Tlokweng, adding that government would continue to implore the private sector to take the lead in creating sustainable industries that would create employment for Batswana.



Companies such as Sefalana and several others need to be commended for heeding the call to partner with the government in the economic development and employment creation, she said.



She said her Ministry is driving the Citizen Economic Empowerment Policy aimed to equip citizens with the necessary competencies that would enable them to take advantage of economic opportunities and have a stake in the process of economic growth and development.



The minister said it was commendable that Sefalana conducts Botswana Qualification Authority accredited training programmes for all its employees on a continuous basis, as well as taking both middle and senior management to external training institutions such as University of Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa.

Ms Makgato- Malesu said people should also know that noted Sefalana does not only create employment directly but through the engagement of external service providers such as security, repairs and maintenance contractors and cleaning services, all of whom employ citizens.



She said it was worth noting that Sefalana has for a long time localised most of its managerial positions and supported local producers and suppliers.

Sefalana purchases 95 per cent of its stock from local manufacturers such as Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL), Bolux, Bokomo, Foods Botswana, Water Bottlers, Vegetable producers and the balance comes from local distributors and agents. 



Foods Botswana which is based in Serowe is one of the largest employers outside government and procures 30, 000 tons of sorghum per annum becoming the largest producer of sorghum in the country outside BAMB and it has played a great role in promoting farming in the country, she said.



Minister Makgato-Malesu highlighted that in the next two months, Sefalana would be setting up a local distribution centre in Gaborone North to cater for its fruit and vegetable requirements.

Furthermore, she said 95 per cent of the Shoppers landlords are ordinary Batswana who have been assisted in many aspects, including financial assistance to complete their projects on time and the Tlokweng store is one example.



She applauded Sefalana for their significant role in the diversification of the economy and encouraged them to continue doing more.



Such developments, she said showed that the contribution of the private sector in terms of both employment creation and economic diversification was vital.

“The growth and diversification of the country’s economy can only be fulfilled when both government and the private sector are committed to working together,” she added.

The minister called on the big businesses to engage small businesses so that they could both penetrate the market outside Botswana.

She also handed donation of food hampers from Shoppers Supermarket to SOS in Tlokweng. Ends