07 Dec 2015

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) employees handed over school items to 105 orphaned school children based in Rakops.

The donation consisted of backpacks, mathematical instruments, pencils, pens and hats.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Kopano Mabona of Rakops thanked the mine and its employees for their wonderful job in developing lives and providing for the less fortunate in his village.

Giving a keynote address, Boteti district officer, Mr Thabo Baitseng said, “this is a highly commendable initiative by the OLDM employees, Komatsu Boomtech and executive. This is in line with one of the Vision 2016 pillars of a compassionate, just and caring nation.

If we all embrace this vital pillar and do everything we can to help make it real, Batswana will have the underprivileged considered in their daily activities and OLDM employees are testimony to that today.”

He also challenged the students to study hard as they are the future of this country.  “Let me encourage others to learn from this initiative and assist the underprivileged members of our communities as there are many students who need assistance within Boteti sub district,” he said.

Giving an overview of the project initiative, OLDM senior mining manager, Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa stated that through Debswana’s “Show we care” value they intend to show that they care about the lives of their community.  

“Our track record through various deeds over the years shows that indeed we live by this great value,” he said. Mr Maoketsa said that the project started when miners sat together to plan on meaningful impact engagement initiatives to embark on for the year 2015. They personally contributed money supported by the company corporate affairs and Komatsu and managed to raise sufficient funds to turn diamond dreams into lasting reality.

“Every year, through Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, Debswana invests over P3 million into sustainable community projects in and around Boteti,” said Mr Maoketsa. ENDS