Shoppers Spreads Wings To Gantsi

Leinanyana Tsiane | Monday October 20, 2014 15:36

Speaking at the opening of the Shoppers supermarket last week, the Minister of Science, Technology and Infrastructure and also Member of Parliament (MP) for Gantsi North Jonnie Swartz said the Sefalana Group employs approximately 2,500 people of whom 99% are citizens.

Swartz said Sefalana has also done good in its policy to support local producers and suppliers and that 95 percent of its stock is purchased from local manufacturers such as Kgalagadi Breweries Limited, Bolux, Bokomo, Foods Botswana vegetable producers.

“The balance is from local distributors and agents, many of whom are directly owned by citizens,” Swartz said.

He further said Sefalana tries to procure as much locally produced fruit especially oranges and vegetables and will be setting up a local distribution centre in Gaborone North within the next two months to cater for its fruit and vegetable requirements.

As part of citizen empowerment many of the buildings where Shoppers supermarkets are renting are owned by Batswana who have been assisted in many aspects including financial assistance to complete their projects on time.

“Gantsi store is such an example,” he continued. Sefalana Group has also contributed immensely to corporate social responsibility projects within the communities that it operates its business. Swartz cited Serowe and SOS Children’s Villages and a Clinic in Metsimotlhabe where breakfast is provided on a daily basis to all recipients through Foods Botswana.

Sefalana, which was the first company to be listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange, is majority citizen owned with 86.42% of its shareholding held by citizens and citizens’ institutions.

The Managing Director of Sefalana Cash and Carry Limited Hans Kampmann said at Shoppers they strive to offer real value to real people and offer their customers a first class shopping experience and offer a wide range of products at competitive prices.

Kampmann said they have decided to invest in Gantsi after realising the potential the area has with a clear view of making meaningful economic contribution to the society. “Shoppers Gantsi has employed 55 staff and management mainly from Gantsi and surrounding areas,” noted Kampmann.