The Bakwena Community Development Association (BCDA) says it will soon commence the second phase of its three-phased master plan for the development of Molepolole. Speaking in a high level meeting for all Bakwena residing and working in Gaborone, BCDA board Chairman, Shima Monageng, said they have come up with the master plan divided into Phase 1 (mall development), Phase 2 (town houses) and Phase 3 (hotel development).
Monageng said the plan was made through the consultation of Bakwena and has been approved.
“The building permission has been granted and is quoted at P60 million,” he said. “Banks are now interested to get into business deals; and Bank Gaborone has shown interest,” he said.
Speaking about the Mafenyatlala Mall, Monageng said, as the board, task team and the consultants, they believe very much in the way the Mall is coming up, adding that the mall had been leased to Cash Bazaar Holdings for a period of 35 years.
“The Mall, therefore, has changed the landscape of Molepolole and created jobs for 230 employees,” said Monageng, who added that before the mall, they used to feel ashamed when visitors came to Molepolole and wanted the services of the mall and hotel.
Monageng also says Mafenyatlala Mall has been hired by Puma filling station in a development costing P15 million and they intend to upgrade it.
“The development will soon start,” he said but added that they are only not happy with the changes of paint, which he referred to as cosmetic changes.
“The lease or contract is expiring this year and if they do not comply well, we will not renew it,” said Monageng.
He stated that in Molepolole they have shortage of accommodation, adding that the Molepolole College of Education experiences that shortage and therefore they have plans to build hotels, which he said are already in progress.
“It drew our attention when we heard that Cresta had built hotels elsewhere yet Molepolole is here,” said Monageng.
Leratang Gofitile asked whether the name of the Association (Bakwena) is not exclusive to which Monageng said that through the assistance of all headmen of the village they chose the name out of 10 choices to get the appropriate and approved name. He said that Molepolole is a cosmopolitan place therefore the fact of the matter shall remain that it is of Bakwena.
“Let’s embrace the name and not be deterred. If serious people want to contribute, they will do so,” said Monageng.
Participants in the meeting urged the board to launch a website for easy information spreading and Monageng revealed that they have a Facebook page, the Friend of Molepolole Development.
“There should not be any nasty comments but building ideas on it,” he said.
Monageng said that they have an approved constitution but that it has been realized that it had errors and, therefore, needed to be reviewed.
“We had a day and night to work on it; we are in the process to review it. It is with our lawyers although it is approved.”
Monageng confirmed that they are being audited annually.
