TATI SIDING POST OFFICE STRIP MALL GROUND BREAKING
Botswanapost and the North-east District Council came together to mark the commencement of their milestone project - Tati Siding Post Office Strip Mall in a groundbreaking ceremony hosted in Tati Siding village on Friday 26th May 2023.
The project is to bring essential services closer to the Tati Siding and surrounding communities. The establishment of a Post Office in the Tati-siding area was initially not prioritized due to the unavailability of suitable land and lack of the necessary budget considerations. However, the Tati Siding village leadership and the Village Development Committees in a remarkable show of commitment to the significance of accessing postal services pledged both land and funds amounting to P2 million through the constituency fund. Motivated by the show of commitment from the village leadership, Botswanapost supplemented the budget with an allocation of P2, 381,104.00, thus expanding the scope of the innovative project now termed the Post Office Strip Mall. Through this concept, the Post Office will coexist with other
establishments, creating a multifunctional space that caters to the diverse needs of the community. The strip mall will encompass rental outlets, public toilets, and Virtual Teller Machines (VTMS). During the event, Tati-siding Kgosi Simon Nkgageng, expressed his gratitude for the project, as it would solve the need for the community to travel to Francistown for postal services. Botswanapost CEO, Mr. Cornelius Ramatlhakwane, emphasized that the partnership signifies not only the establishment of a Post Office but also the development of a commercial center that will serve as the heart of Tati Siding and its neighboring areas, setting a new benchmark for future endeavors. The Post’s CEO further highlighted that the strip mall will serve as a thriving hub for commerce, providing opportunities for small businesses to flourish and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services. He emphasized that it will foster social interaction, bringing the community together and cultivating a sense of belonging. The project sets the
stage for future expansions, including the deployment of additional VTMS and enhanced digital platforms like Digital Post, offering customers convenient access to services for personal and business needs. In closing, Mr. Ramatlhakwane extended best wishes to the contractor, urging them to complete the project within the allocated budget and timeframe. During his keynote address, the Honorable Minister of Education, Honorable Douglas Letsholathebe, emphasized that the project is expected to generate employment opportunities and facilitate skill development for the local population. The Honorable Minister concluded by appealing to the community to safeguard and maintain the facility once it is completed, acknowledging the challenges in securing sufficient funding for major projects of this nature. In his closing remarks, Mr. Kopano Maruping, Chairperson of the North-east District Council, expressed appreciation to the Council and Botswanapost for entering into this valuable partnership that brings essential services closer to the people.