08 Feb 2022

Absa Bank Botswana has re-opened a revamped and a more modern branch in Shakawe, after a four-year closure.

Speaking at the official opening recently, Absa managing director, Ms Keabetswe Moshagane said they made a decision in 2018 to temporarily close, based on their transformation journey and financial inclusion agenda that the Shakawe branch needed an upgrade.

“We understand the unique challenges that you faced because of our branch temporary closure, including the fact that people were forced to travel long distances to access banking services. This did not only present security threats, but was also inconvenient and expensive as people incurred transport costs,” she said.

The truth of the matter, she said, was that the banking sector had evolved and there was growing appeal of convenient self-service channels such as ATMs, online banking, mobile and internet banking applications.

She however highlighted that, though Absa was aggressively investing in digital platforms for the convenience of its customers, the bank also believed that in some unique circumstances, there was still an important role for conventional brick-and-mortar banking, like in the case of Shakawe.

Ms Moshagane also noted that Absa took the responsibility of being the only bank in Shakawe and the Okavango sub district  had intensified its efforts to render a full suite of financial services to stakeholders.

“Customer experience and client centricity remains at the core of our strategy. We launched digital corners in some of our banking halls in 2021 and it is in the pipeline to roll out this to other branches including Shakawe.

Digital corners are self-service platforms that enhance our customers’ experience by offering them convenience and improved service delivery. Customers can do an array of services easily and reduce their presence in the banking halls,” said the managing director.

She further noted that they were also committed to giving back to the communities that they operated in, through education and skills development, environmental conservation and the robust colleague volunteering programme, where employees were provided with small grants and time off work to implement small projects.

Meanwhile, Bank of Botswana governor, Mr Moses Pelaelo urged Okavango people to bank with Absa and also borrow money so that the bank can make profit, not forgetting financial discipline when borrowing.

Mr Pelaelo said Okavango was a tourism area, hence reopening of an up to standard Absa branch in Shakawe was inevitable.

He also noted that construction of the Mohembo bridge brought about increased economic activities, hence the need for a bank in the area.

On behalf of the Okavango people, Kgosi Mutemo Mbambo of Shakawe applauded Absa management for bringing back the bank, which also serviced villages across the Okavango river, from Kauxwi up to Gudigwa. ENDS