30 Aug 2020

Sefalana Group, a publicly listed company in the Botswana Stock Exchange, has its eyes on the ball and determined to increase its footprint in the country despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

That was evident when the retail giant opened a revamped Sefalana Shopper Store in Molepolole recently.

Sitting on a 1 800m² plot, the store immediately assumes a mega store status and one of its kind ever to grace Molepolole.  Besides its size, the new store boasts a unique design purely crafted with a modern shopper in mind.

Officiating at the opening ceremony, Molepolole Administration Authority/Lentsweletau Sub-council chairperson, Mr Allen Jacobs said the opening of yet another Sefalana Shopper Store was ‘a ‘welcome development, amid difficult times posed by COVID-19.”

Again, he said the opening of the store brought the much needed hope to the masses, especially to Molepolole, where unemployment was rampant.

Further, he said government was in need of development partners to assist in creating sustainable jobs, hence Sefalana had heeded the call.

“On behalf of government, the village leadership is thankful to the group,” he said, adding the store had employed 60 Batswana, all of whom were Molepolole residents.

That, he said, was a cause for renewed optimism that should ignite excitement among the community.

With the store having been given a facelift, Mr Jacobs stressed that such was a plausible move from the Sefalana Group to ensure that they gave their consumers exceptional shopping experience.

Besides, he said such a step demonstrated that the company valued its customers.

He, nonetheless, implored Molepolole residents to support the new store and motivate the company to expand the business and create more jobs.

For his part, Sefalana Group CEO, Mr Chandra Chauhan said they had 31 stores in the country.

Mr Chauhan also revealed that they had pledged to President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi to create 600 jobs this year alone, but due to COVID-19 challenges, they would be able to create only 300 to 350 jobs with six more stores opening soon.

He also highlighted that although COVID-19 affected businesses, his company would expand despite the current unfavourable business conditions.

He added that the group had never cut salaries of their employees even in the harshest of times and were yet to increase staff salaries this month.

Sefalana Group has a staff turnover of 4 000 and 93 per cent of its shares are owned by Batswana. 

It is the only company by far that does not have a controlling shareholder. The group is planning to open four more stores in Shakawe, Metsimotlhabe, Sebina and Ramotswa. Meanwhile, customers who had flocked the store opening ceremony were happy about the new spacious store, citing that the staff was friendly and prices were affordable.

Ms Mercy Lefifi, a hawker in front of the store, said she had been operating her business for years. 

She buys vegetables in bulk in the store and sells them outside.

She said through bulk buying from Sefalana, she was able to put food on the table. Ends