Pick n Pay Namibia continues to expand its footprint in the country and opened its 23rd store in the country yesterday at the new B1 City Mall in Windhoek.

The store opening marks the third addition to the Pick n Pay store count for the year, with new stores having opened at Outapi and Ondangwa earlier this year.

Pick n Pay Namibia is a subsidiary of the Ohlthaver and List (O&L) Group.
Keynote speaker at the official opening of the B1 City Pick n Pay store Windhoek Mayor Muesee Kazapua stressed that citizens should take hands in making a success of government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP).

“The only way to beat poverty in this country is by taking hands, especially the private and public sectors, to tackle this socio-economic crippler together. The HPP is a great strategy on paper, but the success of it will come only from us doing what needs to be done.

“The O&L purpose: ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’, personally resonates very well, as it is a constant reminder of the responsibility that lies with each and every one of us to own the fight against poverty and, like PnP and the O&L Group, that drives this purpose with so much passion, we all ought to commit ourselves to the growth of our nation.

Not only through words, but… through action. Not only do we see job opportunities created by PnP, but the involvement of your business in the communities in which you operate makes this company one to be proud of.

“Not only am I proud of the efforts made by PnP to contribute to economic growth, but I’m also very happy about their dedication to delivering quality to the Namibian people… quality in products and services.

“This occasion is thus not only the opening of another PnP store. Today we celebrate commitment and dedication by a true Namibian asset to growing the economy of our country,” said Kazapua.

Executive chairman of O&L Group Sven Thieme during his statement said: “O&L is relentless in our pursuit of creating a sustainable future for all and therefore passionately embrace our purpose of ‘Creating a future, enhancing life’ for all Namibians. Today’s celebration contributes to the O&L Vision of metric of creating 4 000 additional jobs by the year 2019 and I’m happy to say that we’re well on track, with more than 1 300 of the 4 000 already occupied.

Managing director of PnP Norbert Wurm said the opening of the PnP B1 City store marks another beacon of hope in the development of Namibia. He stressed that it is not only another opening of a PnP store, but also a celebration of PnP’s commitment to contribute to the wellbeing of Namibia and her people and in this case, particularly the people of Katutura.

“The O&L Group and PnP embrace their obligations as responsible corporate citizens by improving and uplifting the lives of the people in the Namibian communities in which we operate…

“I’m thus very happy to announce that PnP B1 City, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has committed itself to assist the Dorkas Community Organisation with a PnP gift card of N$1 000 per month for the next 12 months. Dorkas currently gives meals to children and also provides aftercare to them, while further assisting bedridden elderly with meals,” said Wurm.

The B1 City branch will employ 88 people, which brings the current number employed by PnP Namibia to approximately 2 300 people.