Africa-Press – Botswana. The newly opened Tlokweng taxi rank mall, known as the Batlokwa Centre, marks as a major step in transforming Tlokweng into a modern economic hub in line with Botswana’s Economic Transformation Plan (BETP), which promotes economic growth through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Tlokweng Member of Parliament, Mr Phenyo Segokgo said this at the grand opening of the centre recently.
He said the development demonstrated the power of collaboration between government and the private sector.
The project comprises a public transport taxi rank, a shopping complex anchored by Spar, and 12 kiosk stalls designed to support informal traders.
Mr Segokgo noted that the partnership between the Tlokweng District Council, as the property owner, and Time Projects, as the developer and manager, was formed to address the need for modern public transport infrastructure while boosting local economic activity.
He commended the developers for completing the project on schedule and to a high standard.
Construction began in September last year and tenants had already begun fitting out their shops.He added that from the beginning, extensive consultations were conducted with transport operators, informal traders and nearby residents to ensure the project aligned with community needs.
“To the private sector, let me issue a challenge: this is the future of development in Botswana.
This is what BETP calls for collaboration, innovation, and high-impact investment that stimulates growth and creates sustainable jobs,” he said.
Mr Segokgo encouraged the development of more integrated transport hubs, commercial centres, industrial parks, housing projects and tourism facilities, noting that such strategic partnerships could unlock economic opportunities and transform communities.
He said the Batlokwa Centre represented job creation, opportunities for informal traders, support for transport operators and long-term revenue generation for both the council and the developer.
Spar Botswana, represented by Mr Jerome Jacobs of Tsetseng Retail Group, celebrated the opening, noting that Spar remained committed to the socioeconomic upliftment of the Batlokwa community.
He said the new store had created 73 new jobs, adding to the group’s existing workforce of over 2 300 employees.
Time Projects managing director, Mr Mmoloki Morolong, highlighted his company’s long track record of delivering major developments in Botswana, including Mongala Mall and Lobatse Junction with Spar being the main tenant.
He said they were proud to have delivered the Batlokwa Centre within 15 months since the August 2024 groundbreaking ceremony.
He said that the project created over 200 jobs during construction and more than 100 jobs post-construction.
He also emphasised the significance of the mall as Tlokweng’s first PPP project, built at a cost of over P35.5 million.
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