21 Sep 2014

Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Dorcas Makgato-Malesu has applauded shareholders of Exponential for the unique blend of expertise which brought hundreds of years of experience working together for the common good of enhancing capabilities as people.

She said what they have done by working together, persevering and struggling together towards a common goal is something which needs to be celebrated and should be a story that has to be re-told again and again so that other people may emulate their example.

Officially opening the P75 million Exponential building in Gaborone on Thursday, September 18, Ms Makgato-Malesu said the eight-storey building’s value has almost doubled to P122 million two years after its completion and said it is a great achievement.

She said it is rare to hear of projects of the Exponential magnitude without loans and huge debts and said by any measure and standard it is a phenomenal initiative and said the initial investment of P100 000 that they raised as individuals and corporates has given their consortium a premier property almost double value.

The Minister said it is a demonstration that prudent management of resources, coupled with clear vision can go a long way and commended them for their resilience and their spirit of enterprise and said it gives her confidence that Batswana have the ability to complete regionally and globally.

She said her ministry’s mandate is to provide a conducive environment for growing the economy and creating wealth through investment, industrialisation, economic diversification and trade. She said the approach that they have adopted is similar to that of cooperatives which falls under her ministry as they believe that collaborations can work.

Ms Makgato-Malesu said what started as an idea and concept in 2008 from Gullam Abdulla and Moses Lekaukau has given birth to the magnificent building which saw a group of 16 people coming together to discuss a wonderful idea and ended up coming together to a total of 61 people towards a common goal.

For his part, the Exponential chairman, Mr Dumi Lopang said the building currently is home to ten tenants, and offers a variety of office space according to their different needs and occupants have access to high quality facilities.

He said the building is a breath of fresh air to new business owners as they will be located in the hub of the business district which enables them the opportunity to network with others. ENDS