08 Sep 2016

The Selebi Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU) has unveiled its new brand and logo.

The brand, which will give the organisation a new look and feel, was unveiled in Selebi Phikwe on Tuesday.Giving a keynote address at the event, Selebi Phikwe mayor, Mr Amogelang Mojuta, said branding was an important part of organisational identity.

He said a brand was a source of pride for any organisation and in order for a company to radiate a strong sense of brand identity, it must have an in depth understanding of its target market, competitors and the surrounding environment.

He said SPEDU’s new brand incorporated all these elements adding that the logo was bright and inviting and its features attested to the success envisioned for the company and the strides it had made.

Mr Mojuta stated that SPEDU had set itself an ambitious target to not only establish and brand itself nationally but to also expand its footprint internationally.

“We expect the new brand identity to greatly assist, in achieving the company’s mission and that of the government of Botswana, “he said.

Meanwhile, SPEDU board chairperson, Mr Dan Mahupela who is also managing director of BCL Mine said SPEDU was set up to stimulate economic development and diversification growth in Selebi Phikwe and surrounding areas of Mmadinare, Bobirwa and Tswapong north.

He said the rebranding of SPEDU came at the right time when the organisation was gaining progress in its endeavour to realise its target of transforming the region into a world class industrialised and diversified region by 2022.

He said SPEDU had initiated numerous projects to help the economy of the region and realise its vision of 2022.

He mentioned that a horticulture study was carried out and concluded that the SPEDU region has potential to become Botswana’s bread basket due to the fact that the region happens to have abundant water and fertile soil resources.

He said the study recommended the setting up of a horticulture packaging and processing plant which SPEDU and National Food Technology Research Centre have partnered on.

He said in a related development, SPEDU has identified 44 horticulture farms for electrification along Motloutse River.  

“The farms represent 800 hectares and when complete, the Motloutse Farm Electrification Project will reduce production costs, improve operational efficiency, improve crop yields for farmers and enhance Botswana food security.

SPEDU chief executive officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung, said while undertaking the rebranding project, they had to preserve the integrity of existing brands but come up with a new face that would infuse new energy and opportunities into the business and ensure that the agency kept up with the times in a changing economy.

He said SPEDU continued to add value to the economic sector and contribute significantly to Botswana’s economy. Ends