06 Jun 2021

Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Dr Thapelo Matsheka says completion and subsequent opening of Bakgomong Mall by the children of the late Mr Nicholas Selelo is a fitting tribute to the latter.

“What a wonderful tribute to your late parents; a glaring merriment to any parent,” Dr Matsheka said to Mr Ewetse Selelo who is Bakgomong Mall chairperson.

Dr Matsheka’s sentiments followed utterances by, Mr Selelo who had revealed that their resolve towards delivering the mall, on the inherited plot, was birthed by the business mindedness inculcated into them at a tender age.

Mr Selelo said that his parents were astute businesspersons who wanted every one of their children to partake in every family business undertaking.

Named Bakgomong, a local token of Babirwa, the mall opened doors Friday after a lengthy spell since its conceptualisation in 2011. 

The first of its kind in Bobonong, Bakgomong Mall is a product of Gabana Architects.

The double storey building lies on a 5 000 square metres of land comprises four shops being Fours, CB Stores, Choppies Fried Chicken and Bahumi at the ground while various government offices occupy the six units above.

“It was a mammoth task as by then, there was no financing for this noble idea,” Dr Matsheka said and commended the family for their resilience towards successful delivery of the project.

The mall, located by the bus rank, has since enhanced the outlook of Bobonong and is expected to draw investors into the capital of Bobirwa while simultaneously creating employment opportunities.

Dr Matsheka opined that Bakgomong Mall would unite the people and keep money revolving around the district thereby fueling local economic development.

He further said that the mall was part of the ‘broad government policies of development’ whose focus was to promote private sector-led development and local economic development approach among other things.

Still at the same occasion that saw the opening of Fours Store, Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi commended the store management for some economic boost to the Bobirwa.

Not only does Fours provide business opportunities for Batswana, the store also creates employment in the process, Mr Molebatsi observed.

Assistant Minister Molebatsi said that each of the 80 employees of the store would positively change the economic status of their household.

Mr Molebatsi challenged Fours management to source stock from local producers before considering importation.

“We would like to see Fours buying from Batswana Farmers and manufacturers,” the assistant minister challenged the company that was opening its 13^th store with over 1 333 employees countrywide.

He also commended the store for competitive pricing that ‘gives our consumers some welfare.’ Ends