27 May 2019

In a bid to localise managerial posts that have long been occupied by foreigners, Choppies Enterprises Limited, a local multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer, has moved swiftly to implement this initiative last year.

Although the strategy is still new, already the efforts are starting to bear fruit as the mega store has roped in 29-year-old Tao Moalosi to manage five chain stores in Mogoditshane. Mr Moalosi becomes the youngest cluster Manager in this portfolio country wide.

This was revealed by Choppies investigations and compliance manager, Mr Molefhe Sejoe in an interview at the grand opening ceremony of the 88th Choppies Super Store in Metsimotlhabe recently.

In an interview Mr Sejoe explained that the Choppies localisation drive started in earnest last year after a deliberate decision was taken to localise managerial positions that were previously headed by foreigners.

He said this was achieved by sourcing in store talent and promoting locals up the ranks.

Remarking on the newly opened super store in Metsimotlhabe, he said the store had offered employment opportunities as it currently employed 53 people of whom 85 per cent were youth and one person living with disability while the rest were elderly people.

For Moalosi, having been appointed a cluster manager early this year in February comes as a huge responsibility that he really appreciates.

He said he was pleased that the appointment showed that the management believed in growth and recognised his work.

His dedication and commitment to work had seen Moalosi moving up the ranks, from a shelf packer to a cluster manager in a decade.

Moalosi stated in an interview that he joined Choppies in 2008 as a shelf packer at Lobatse.

After two years the Ditlharapeng born was promoted to the position of trainee manager and was immediately moved to Choppies Fairgrounds in Gaborone.

In 2012 he was transferred to Maruapula as an assistant manager and the following year in 2013 he was moved to Ledumang Choppies as branch manager.

He was then moved with the same position to Mogoditshane.
In 2014, he was again moved to head Choppies Bodiba Mall still in Mogoditshane and ultimately he was moved to head KAAR Choppies in Mogoditshane.

After learning all the ropes he was given more roles and even bigger boots to manage five Choppies stores in Mogoditshane.

With much bigger responsibilities and a complex business to run, Moalosi said he had learnt to think on his toes because he worked with many people with diverse challenges.

He has also learnt to think on a broader perspective to tackle challenges because theirs was a competitive business that demanded a competitive edge.

Though BGCE certificate holder, Moalosi has received sufficient in-house training in retailing to be where he is.

Regarding Choppies localisation drive, Moalosi said it was the right step in the right direction.

He said the initiative would grant young Batswana an opportunity to prove themselves.
Kgosi Rafael Mmipi applauded Choppies management for opening the store in the area, saying the store would shorten distance travelled by Metsimotlhabe residents and surrounding areas to buy groceries.

He said the store was situated next to the post office making life easier for the elderly.

He said it had further cut costs as they would not incur any costs to get services and daily necessities.

It has it also created business opportunities for some as some transport operators had taken advantage of the opening of the store and organised themselves on how they were going to service those who would need transport after their daily shopping.

Thirty-six year-old Tidimalo Badirwang, one such informal transport operator commonly referred to as Nka go thusa said he had come to try his luck at the new store.

Prior to the opening of the new store, the Gobojango born said he used to offer transport services to night time revellers, mostly in bars. He quit the business after he realised that it was becoming too risky for he was forced to work at night.

He was however adamant that the new store would offer better business opportunities.

Choppies will next month open its 89th store at Tsabong. ENDS