Shoprite in Otjiwarongo

Shoprite announced plans to almost double its footprint in Otjiwarongo when the ground breaking ceremony for the new complex took place last week. The old Shoprite centre will grow from its existing 5700 sqm to 10600 sqm and will be known, upon completion, as Town Square.
Otjiwarongo Town Square is expected to open in April 2013.
It will also see the merging of next-door Truworths and OK Furniture into the new structure, on top of upgraded parking and new shop fronts. Provision has also been made in the planning to construct and make available twenty stalls to informal vendors.
According to Kallie van der Merwe, CEO of Safland Property Services, the centre will house a bigger and better Jet Mart Store, Clicks, Edgars Active, Fashion Express, a new look Truworths, new concept Mr Price, Exact, Totalsports, Scooters Pizza and Hungry Lion.
“Once up and running we also expect more that 100 new retail employment opportunities,” he said.
“The expansion of Town Square represents a N$55 million investment in Otjiwarongo. Importantly for us as partners in the business, are the opportunities and the money that flow directly into the town and its people. The main contractor has 74 permanent people on site and another 10 temporary, all of whom are Namibian and 71 which come from the region. The sub-contractor is also from Otjiwarongo and all 13 suppliers are Namibians, 8 of which are from the region. We are excited about these statistics as we value the importance of creating jobs and opportunities for Namibians,” he said.
Her Worship, Hilde Jesaya, mayor of Otjiwarongo said that the idea of having a lifestyle shopping mall was an initiative of the municipality of Otjiwarongo, driven by the need to boost the image of the town and also create much needed employment.
“As council and as leaders of this town we will always strive to improve development in our town for the objective of providing employment opportunities for our people. As the capital of Otjozondjupa Region, Otjiwarongo has become the hub of the areas and towns surrounding it in terms of quality of life services in particular shopping facilities,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of Rapama Kamehozu, Governor of the Otjozondjupa region, Fuastina Caley, the Director of Education and currently Acting Chief Regional Officer said, No political progress is successful and sustainable without economic development.
“As government, in focussing our efforts on the economy, we have always emphasised the role and participation of the private sector in rebuilding our country. The government continues their efforts to promote and implement mechanisms for investments in the Otjozondjupa region and they worked hard to create a modern approach that supports investors and capital owners, be they local or foreign,” she said.