Zana Junction Mall groundbreaking signals confidence in Phikwe
Laone Choeunyane | Wednesday August 12, 2026 06:00
The regional retail development, led by Zana Copperleaf through a public-private partnership, will be built on a seven-hectare site and provide approximately 14,000 square metres of gross leasable area. More than P200 million has already been secured for the project, which is expected to create between 200 and 500 jobs. Construction begins immediately, with completion targeted for September 2027.
Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs Ketlhalefile Motshegwa described the project as more than another construction development. “This ceremony marks far more than the commencement of construction. It symbolises renewed confidence in the future of Selebi-Phikwe, the success of public-private partnerships, and our shared determination to create sustainable economic opportunities for generations to come. He said the partnership between SPEDU Pty Ltd and private investors demonstrates how collaboration can unlock strategic land, stimulate economic activity and accelerate the town’s economic recovery.
Letlole La Rona (LLR) CEO Ronil Besele said the mall represents an investment in the people of Selebi-Phikwe as much as in commercial property. He acknowledged the support of LLR’s shareholders; BPOPF, BDC, BIFM and Debswana Pension Fund, and noted that the town’s bus rank, filling station, KFC outlet and now Zana Junction Mall have all been delivered through private-sector investment working alongside the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council.
“This is more than bricks and mortar,” Besele said, adding that LLR and its subsidiaries were excited to become part of the Phikwe community.
Zana Copperleaf Chairman Abel Apollo Bogatsu said the development represents a bold investment made despite challenging economic conditions and high interest rates. He said catalytic projects such as Zana Junction Mall are essential to rebuilding investor confidence whilst supporting broader efforts to diversify Selebi-Phikwe’s economy.
LLR Investment Committee Chairperson Boikanyo Kgosidintsi reflected on the town’s difficult journey since the closure of the BCL Mine in October 2016, when businesses struggled and investment all but disappeared.
He revealed that when management presented the mall proposal to the board in January 2025, many viewed Selebi-Phikwe as too risky for an investment of that scale. Following a site visit and months of deliberations, the board approved what would become three firsts for LLR: its first development in Selebi-Phikwe, its first project undertaken under a developer model, and its first cross-border funded development, with debt raised in foreign currency to cushion against elevated domestic borrowing costs. Kgosidintsi said the decision reflected the company’s mandate to create long-term value for Batswana through strategic property investment, reaffirming Selebi-Phikwe as an important investment destination and signalling LLR’s willingness to pursue further opportunities in the town.
For many residents, the Zana Junction Mall represents more than a new retail development. It is one of the most significant private investments announced in Selebi-Phikwe since the closure of the BCL Mine and reflects growing confidence in the town’s economic prospects.
With construction now set to begin, the project adds another chapter to Selebi-Phikwe’s ongoing efforts to diversify its economy and attract new investment nearly a decade after the town’s mining industry went into decline.