The multi-million pula Sebele Shopping Center in Gaborone North, offering a wide variety of lifestyle shopping, opened its doors to customers on Thursday.
The shopping centre will service Phakalane, Sebele, Block 7, Block 8, Broadhurst and the airport community, said Petronella Matumo, chairperson of Prime Time, the Botswana Stock Exchange listed entity.
Prime Time also has properties in Francistown, Serowe, Ramotswa, Ghanzi and Lobatse, said Matumo, adding that its reach is national.
She said tenants of the shopping complex include Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, restaurants, hardware and furniture shops, professional services outlets, and a bureau de change.
“The construction was managed by Time Project; Phase 2 of the mall is expected to offer even more lifestyle shopping,” said Matumo, adding that the mall would address the shortage of conveniently placed shopping centres north of the city.
Matumo added that the complex would also potentially capture some customers from the southern portion of town who could find it easier to get to it than to other shopping centers. She stated that the mall opens at a time when progressive new developments of Block 10 and Block 8 industrial sites and also Gaborone North residential area are nearing completion.
She also stated that the mall is properly located along one of the busiest roads in the country, A1, used by a lot of motorists and cross boarder transits. She urged consumers to use the mall as it is secure and of international standard.
“Sebele Centre will delight any shoppers looking for variety and convenience,” said Matumo.
According to Matumo the employment of citizens at the mall will assist the government bid to reduce the unemployment rate. She said the shopping centre is also expected to have a number of office suites. Already, Remax Properties, Firestone Diamonds and a couple of ATMs are accommodated.
Sebele Centre now has two phases in the development, the initial 9000 square metres completed and second phase of 10000 square metres, which is under construction.
It is also facing competition from about 10 other shopping malls in Gaborone.
