Sefalana expands presence in Mogoditshane
Staff Writer | Thursday October 19, 2017 14:54
The latest Sefalana shop opening brings to 24 the number of their Shoppers branded outlets in the country.
The investment in the new shop has immediately created about 50 new jobs for personnel employed in the various divisions of the outlet.
Officially opening the newest shop, former Vice President Ponatshego Kedikilwe who is also the chairman of the Sefalana Group, hailed the phenomenal growth of the chain store since 1974.
Kedikilwe said in terms of employment creation, Sefalana had contributed immensely from 233 workers in 1974, to more than 2,500 workers to date.
Kedikilwe hailed Sefalana’s ambitions, which have seen them continuing to spread wings into South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho as well as continually increasing their presence in strategic locations in Botswana, despite the challenging economic environment.
The chairman also said Sefalana was a truly Botswana company, adding that investments in its shares by leading Botswana companies and individuals had made it a proud citizen-owned company which takes its mandate seriously.
Kedikilwe said since Sefalana became a citizen-owned company in 1977 many local companies and institutions have invested in the group.
The Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund holds a 42% shareholding in the group, Motor vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) has a 12% of Sefalana stake, with Debswana Pension Fund holding seven percent. Kedikilwe further hailed Sefalana saying they continued to pay out dividends of 25 thebe per share to shareholders despite turbulent trading times.
The former Vice President challenged residents of Mogoditshane and Batswana in general to look for opportunities in Sefalana especially in these trying times of unemployment. He said people should be looking for opportunities to be suppliers of quality goods to Sefalana.
He urged Batswana not to be too reliant on government for job creation and instead explore to take advantage of Sefalana’s growth as availing them the opportunity to supply the shops with homegrown, home packaged produce.