09 Nov 2014

Francistown City Council's (FCC) principal economist, Ms Iye Moakofi says businesses such as the Nzano Centre can be a partner in the transformation of the city into an economic hub as anticipated in the Vision 2022.

Speaking at the centre’s 15th anniversary celebration on November 8, Ms Moakofi said Vision 2022 was an initiative that sought to transform the city into an economic hub, focusing on the socio-economic development aspect.

She said the city’s leadership was confident that the support structures such as the newly formed investment company and vision council will go a long way in creating a conducive environment for businesses to flourish.

Ms Moakofi said the city will be pro-active and facilitate all forms of investment because there are a lot of untapped markets such as the beef and mining industries. She explained that the Francistown region is currently the second highest in pastoral agriculture, which provides most of the beef that contributes to growth of the country.

Ms Moakofhi appealed to Nzano and other stakeholders to play their roles in ensuring that the city’s aspirations are achieved and the city becomes a competitive place to live in.

Concerning the centre, Ms Moakofi commended the management for its continued economic growth in the city and contribution in infrastructural development.

“Apart from creating job opportunities for the residents of Francistown, the centre has for the past 15 years improved the scenic view of the city,” she said.

On a different note, Ms Moakofi encouraged the centre’s management to check their parking lots to ensure that no illegal trading takes place. She cited the centre is one of the places that have a problem of people selling pirated CDs at the parking lots.

Kutlwano Police Station Commander, Superintendent Motsholathebe Mothibi said the centre is one of the shopping complexes that register low numbers of theft. He said police officers are always on sight in the centre to ensure safety because it is a stopover for tourists from Maun and Kasane.

Supt Mothibi commended the crime prevention committee in the centre that works effectively with the police to avert crime.

The Asset Manager Manager for Turn Star Holdings, Ms Marilyn Mosha said the centre has been operational since 1999 and with the completion of the Tonota-Francistown road, they are hopeful that it will give the mall a facelift.

Turn Star Holdings is the owner and manager of the Nzano complex and it is home to some of the chain shops such as Game Store, which is the anchor tenant, food outlets, filling station and banks. ENDS