Mall expansion sparks council divide
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday May 6, 2026 06:00
At the centre of the dispute is the mall along the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, which already hosts KFC and is now set to expand to accommodate additional retail outlets. Initially, the development occupied four hectares.
However, in a recent decision, councillors approved the allocation of an extra two hectares of previously undeveloped land after MSDM Group formally requested more space.
Meanwhile, concerns from opposing councillors have continued to grow, with critics questioning both the pace and implications of the expansion. Nevertheless, supporters argue that the project represents a significant economic boost for the town.
According to Jwaneng Mayor Ronica Ntsimako, the process surrounding the proposal was transparent and adhered to all required procedures. He emphasised that the application had passed through every committee stage before reaching the council floor.
“I am aware that some councillors are against this mall; however, the majority voted in favour of granting the requested land,” she said. “Importantly, phase one, already completed, has created jobs and transformed the look of our town. Therefore, we need investors.”
“This is a new chapter in Jwaneng’s economic story, quietly taking shape along the A2 Trans-Kalahari corridor, where a citizen-owned property developer, MSDM Group, is advancing a retail and commercial precinct that is steadily redefining the town’s urban and economic outlook,” MSDM Group, General Manager-Development and Funding, Mompati Maruapula said. “What began as a modest development initiative has evolved into a multi-phase project that local leadership and residents alike increasingly view as a catalyst for diversification in a town historically anchored by mining.”
He added that the first phase of the development, which commenced construction in mid-2026, has already delivered a visible impact. Maruapula said the opening of Jwaneng’s first KFC restaurant and drive-thru, alongside a Pick'n Pay Go convenience store, only the second of its kind in Botswana, and a flagship four-bay Shell filling station, marked a significant milestone in the town’s retail offering.
He, however, said that for many residents, the arrival of these amenities addressed long-standing gaps in local access to quick-service dining and convenience retail.
“Previously, the nearest comparable fast-food offering required travel to Kanye, a reality that underscored the town’s limited retail diversity despite its economic importance,” he said.
“The first phase has also translated into tangible employment, with approximately 70 jobs created, largely benefiting young people in the area. Developers indicate that this figure represents only a fraction of the employment expected as the project progresses through its subsequent phases.”
Moreover, he said, beyond physical infrastructure, MSDM Group has positioned itself as an active participant in community life.
In response to this demand, he said MSDM had successfully secured an additional portion of land adjacent to Plot 9456 through a 30-year lease agreement with Jwaneng Town Council.
“The acquisition followed a process in which the developer presented its technical, financial, and developmental capacity, supported by institutions such as NDB and CEDA, reinforcing confidence in the project’s feasibility,” he pointed out.
He said the lease arrangement is expected to yield multi-layered economic benefits, including: Direct lease rental income to Council and increased rate revenues.
Consequently, while the expansion promises economic growth and urban transformation, it has simultaneously exposed rifts within the council, raising broader questions about development priorities and consensus-building in the rapidly evolving mining town.