Cymot store
A Monument to Legacy and Innovation
CYMOT’s new flagship store unveiled
Text Elzanne McCulloch
From the Summer 2024/25 issue
I walk through aisle upon aisle. Overhead, a lofty modern ceiling stretches far above, giving the space an airy, almost cathedral-like feel. The store is massive. So much so that I wonder, half-jokingly, if I’ll ever find my way out. There’s a comforting sense of familiarity here, though. Like walking through the halls of a place that has quietly been a part of your life for as long as you can remember. Greensport tents, Scott bicycles, rows of tools that could fix just about anything, and Jonsson’s clothing that has seen many of us through countless adventures in the Namibian wilderness.
But today, there’s something undeniably different. The setting is new. So very new and vast and exciting. It feels larger than life. I stop for a moment to take it all in. My neck might have a kink in it after this visit as it swivels back and forth between one beautiful display after the other. Up and around to take in the towering roof trusses and windows. The scale, the sleek modernity, and the sense that this is more than just a store. This is CYMOT 2.0. A place that feels like it belongs in a bigger, bolder Namibia.
And as I wander through this sprawling store, I realise that CYMOT, like Namibia itself, is evolving. This is a monument to growth, to resilience, and to the pioneering spirit that has always defined this company, and our country. A store, yes, but more than that, a symbol of what’s possible.
On 17 October, CYMOT Namibia slid open the glass doors to its new flagship store – CYMOT Hilltop – next to the Grove Mall in Windhoek. The grand opening event, held on the following evening, brought together nearly 500 guests, a mixture of clients, suppliers, and Namibian business stalwarts, to celebrate a first for Namibia.
CYMOT has been a cornerstone of the Namibian economy for 75 years, building a legacy intertwined with Namibia and her people. From modest beginnings, the company has grown to boast 18 branches nationwide, one in Angola, and on-site stores at major mines. However, it’s this new flagship store that marks the next chapter in CYMOT’s journey. An audacious leap forward that reflects the company’s vision for the future of retail in Namibia and its unwavering commitment to its roots.
At the heart of this grand venture lies the passion of those who made it a reality. Axel Theissen, CYMOT Group Chairman, has been brimming with excitement for this new venture since he took up the mantle as project manager two years ago. Speaking to Axel, listening to his passion for the project, left one completely unable not to be as excited as he is. I have felt this bubbling enthusiasm build up for months, the waves of anticipation rolling off him and sweeping the rest of us along for the ride. None of Axel’s descriptions could have prepared me for the awe that awaited as I took my first steps into CYMOT Hilltop, though.
The party was big and buzzy, yet humbly Namibian in all its glory. Addressing the gathered crowd, Axel spoke with heartfelt pride about the significance of CYMOT Hilltop. With emotion in his voice, he proudly announced that, to make this dream a reality, “We solely appointed Namibian contractors and subcontractors.” The construction process itself was nothing short of remarkable. With 162,000 man-hours poured into the project, CYMOT Hilltop stands as a product of Namibian hands, minds, and hearts. Two years and ten days ago, this was a bare piece of land, but today, it’s a national asset that will stand for generations to come. For Theissen, the project is personal, a physical legacy of his twenty years at the helm of CYMOT.
The opening of CYMOT Hilltop is a first for Namibia in more ways than one. This building showcases cutting-edge features that blend technological innovation with environmental consciousness. Axel highlighted these achievements, noting that the store is entirely off-grid and powered by solar energy, making use of ingenuity to keep the vast space cool and sustainable. The project was completed within the original project budget and timeline, which anyone who has ever attempted even the most rudimentary renovation project will recognise as quite a feat. This sentiment was mirrored by CYMOT CEO, Ralph Ellinger. “It is said that Rome was not built in a day. But that is probably because they didn’t have the same contractors as CYMOT Hilltop,” he mused.
He shared that this building embodies what Namibia can achieve when we think bigger, when we challenge ourselves to meet world-class standards. As a symbol of Namibian capability, CYMOT Hilltop is not just a store but a reflection of the country’s forward momentum. The sheer scale and ambition of the project underline Namibia’s readiness to step up and claim its place as a world-class destination. “We don’t just talk big – we build big,” Ellinger remarked with a grin, referencing the company’s modest yet impactful mantra that has shaped its success.
Looking ahead, CYMOT Hilltop promises to elevate customer experiences with its innovative approach to retail, sustainability, and design. This flagship store is not just a milestone for CYMOT, but for Namibia. It reflects the nation’s ability to deliver excellence, embodying both the promise of the present and the potential of the future. A future built on the legacy of its past and the vision of what is yet to come. TN
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