25 Nov 2018

A multi-million pula shopping complex, Kgabo Mall, has been hailed as a major facelift for Mochudi. 

Speaking during official opening of the mall, Assistant Minister of Trade, Investment and Industry, Mr Moiseraele Goya said Kgabo Mall would help close the unemployment gap. 

He said one of the strategic principles of his ministry was development of small, micro and medium enterprises.

Therfore, Kgabo Mall should give them an opportunity to grow as they needed to be supported and encouraged to ignite Botswana’s economy. 

Mr Goya said the mall provided an opportunity for customers to be spoiled for choice since they would have a variety offered in the same place. 

He said owners of the mall had brought the much needed development to Kgatleng District and residents would no longer have to travel to Gaborone for shopping, adding that the mall was strategically located to serve all the villages around Mochudi.

He reminded investors that his ministry had been mandated to create a conducive environment for foreign companies to set business in Botswana and they had facilitated the ease of doing business. 

Mr Goya further said Botswana Investment and Trade Centre was a front runner in attracting investors and had established a one stop service center to assist investors. 

He said joint ventures were important since they contributed to development of the country. 

“We must remember that in all countries and districts, social and political progress is only successful and sustainable with the necessary economic development backing it, especially the private sector,” he said. 

When giving an over view of the project, the director of Motherland, Mr Farhang Nekakhta,r said the upmarket shopping mall had 36 shops which offered different services. 

Mr Nekakhtar said the P80 million mall had a large involvement of citizen owned companies such as architects, engineers and suppliers of building materials as well as skilled and semi-skilled labour force. 

He said in addition to the over 200 direct jobs created during construction, the occupants of the 36 units would create even more employment at various levels of skills. 

Mr Nekakhtar further said there would also be great opportunities for the support of local agricultural producers and manufacturers. 

He said the name Kgabo, pride itself of belonging to the Bakgatla tribe. 

The mall would have different outlets including Super Spar Supermarket, Furnmart, clothing shops, First Capital Bank, BTC Retail shop, BotswanaPost and Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development (MYSC) offices. 

When giving vote of thanks Member of Parliament for Mochudi West, Mr Gilbert Mangole, thanked investors for putting their money in this investment. 

He asked Bakgatla to lease or sell their land so that investors could bring developments to Kgatleng more so that the district was lagging behind in development. 

Mr Mangole said he was happy that residents would benefit through employment opportunities but cautioned business owners against ill-treatment and abuse of employees. 

He said his office was inundated with complaints and grievances of employees about ill-treatment by employers. ENDS