TSOGWANE OFFICIALLY OPENS TEEMANE MALL
The first ever state of the art shopping mall in Letlhakane was officially opened last Saturday. The purpose of the mall, which is named Teemane, is to give resident of Boteti an exceptional shopping experience.The mall is a brainchild of the Mahube Famil
When officially opening the mall Vice President (VP) Slumber Tsogwane hailed the Time Projects for their bold decision to construct the mall. He pointed out that the construction of the mall has partly helped alleviate unemployment challenges in the country.
Teemane mall was constructed with money amounting to P140 million and has created jobs to 300 Batswana. The jobs are mostly from retail outlets occupying the mall. Tsogwane emphasised that the government will welcome all initiatives meant to create jobs for Batswana.
In his address,Tsogwane also urged retailers housed at the mall to invest more in equipping farmers within Boteti area with the necessary technology to ensure year-round production of their agricultural produce. He emphasised that year-round production would avoid instances where there is shortage of vegetable produce in Boteti and by extension the whole country.The VP further urged retailers occupying Teemane mall to support manufacturing businesses in the country.
When giving the overview of the project businessman Tipson Mahube (representing the Mahube family) stated that the family has always wanted to construct a mall in Letlhakane.
He noted that designs for mall were carried out in 2010 and were approved by the authorities along with a building permit. He however stated that plans to construct the mall were temporarily shelved because of lack of viability.
He elucidated in 2013, the family completed the construction of a filling station in Letlhakane. According to Mahube business activity at the filling station highlighted the need for a mall. He added that several retail businesses and restaurants expressed interest to set up in Letlhakane which meant that constructing a mall was very increasingly becoming worthwhile.
“In 2019, we were approached by Time Projects Director (Turnie Morolong) to partner with the company for the development of the mall.The deal was structured and new plans for the mall were designed and approved,” he said.
Time Projects Director, Turnie Morolong explained that the construction of the mall started in March last year and was completed in August this year.
“During the construction phase all the materials used were procured in Botswana,” Morolong said.
Morolong explained that the total lettable area for the mall is 11,500sqm, comprising 41 retail units as well as a parking unit that can accommodate 600 vehicles. Only three of the 41 units are yet to be occupied.
“The mall also has a P2-million self-contained sewer treatment plant generating its own recycled water for use in the public toilets and landscape irrigation,” he said.