30 Aug 2018

The Botswana Railways (BR) Properties has identified a development partner to construct a multi-million pula mall in its plot in Francistown.

The mall, to be built in two phases, stands on a 11.6 hectares and the first phase comprises of rental offices, retail shops, a filling station, a hotel, piazza shop, a football court ,clinic and a mini bus rank.

BR Properties, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Botswana Railways (BR), last year released an Expression Of Interest for companies to partner in developing the mall in Francistown, in its plot west of the railway station.

Addressing Francistown Full Council meeting on August 30, the managing director of BR Properties Mr Utlwanang Golebanye, explained that the ground breaking ceremony for the new state-of-the-art mall would be done in the first quarter of 2019 and that the implementation of the project would  take six to seven years.

Mr Golebanye further explained that existing hostels at the plot, which used to house “kotoisi” or old BR employee staff houses, will be refurbished to cater for the construction of a mini clinic, which would be leased to potential bidders.

He explained that  there would also be an area where construction of both warehouses and properties for private entities would be erected , both residential and accommodation     

Mr Golebanye said the phase two part of the project was also moving at a smooth gear as BR properties had already done the Environmental Impact Assessment.

 He also said it was expected that 287 jobs would be created during construction period while 235 jobs would be created post construction period.

BR Properties was established to exploit Botswana Railways prime land along sound commercial lines by partnering with the private sector, individuals and public institutions/ organisations with up to date property management practices.

BR Properties is also entrusted with managing the already existing property of Botswana Railways by maintaining and developing this property for leasing and renting.

This will be the second mall by BR properties as in April 2012 BR Properties (Pty) Ltd opened Rail Park Mall in Gaborone on an 8-hectarce piece of Botswana Railways land. The Rail Park Mall was developed in partnership with the private sector.

Councillors were also informed of the expansion and refurbishment of the foot bridge by the railway station as its carrying capacity had deteriorated.

He said the work to refurbish the foot bridge to expand and increase its safety would start next year even though the company was still sourcing funds for the project.

Councillors welcomed the development of the two projects and appealed for the implementation of the construction of the mall, which they said had been delayed for many years and that the mall should match the status of the city.

They also said the refurbishment of the foot bridge.  ENDS