SPAR Botswana is currently owned and operated by the Tsetseng Retail Group (Pty) Limited. The name, Tsetseng, is actually the name of a small village on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

The first SPAR Botswana store was opened in Orapa exclusively to serve the mining community in the area. The first open-to-the-public store was launched in Francistown in 1982. From there, another branch was opened in Gaborone three years later with a second Gaborone branch opening in 1987.

SPAR quickly built a strong relationship with the Department of Trade and Industry as we were recognised as being able to create substantial employment opportunities for Botswana citizens. The stores quickly became popular with Botswana’s residents as they would no longer have to make the long journey to South Africa to buy their groceries.

By the time our third branch opened, SPAR had become well known as a pioneer of retail trade in Botswana and even played a substantial role in the abolition of the Trading Hours Act in 1986 and several other changes in legislation. In the early days of SPAR’s presence in Botswana there were also little to no training facilities available to assist employees in becoming qualified for work in the retail sector. Recognising this need, SPAR sent new staff members to London to obtain their Diploma in Retail Management. Two of the employees who attended these courses are still with the company today – and one was recently honoured with the SPAR of the Year award.

Today over 42 SPAR, SUPERSPAR and Tops stores are operated throughout Botswana.