25 Sep 2016

The Debswana Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) has donated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment worth P100 000 to Shashe Mooke Primary School on Friday September 23.

Handing over the equipment, senior training and development, corporate and social investment officer, Mr Edwin Ntau said the diamond mining company embraces the social and economic responsibility of being a good corporate citizen.

He said they were deeply committed to enriching the nation through community uplifting initiatives that bring lasting change to the lives of Batswana across the country.  “To realise this philosophy, Debswana has a Corporate Social Investment programme, which aims at creating a legacy of prosperity, sustainability and empowering the communities in order to improve the lives of Botswana,” he said.

He said in line with the company’s strategy, values and aspirations of Vision 2016, they have areas of focus such as primary, secondary and environmental education, sports, arts and culture development.

Mr Ntau noted the donation was a demonstration of Debswana values such as ‘Show we care and pulling together.’ “It is through this contribution that we at Debswana demonstrate that as we continue to touch the lives of the people and their communities, we endeavour to shape the future of our children,” he added. 

Mr Ntau said the donation would as a result help the school management to improve the school results to be comparable, if not the best in the region and the ICT equipment would certainly improve the 2017 results.

He observed this would only happen if the school, parents and other important stakeholders remain committed to helping students fully utilise the equipment. Mr Ntau said students should dream big, work hard and show commitment and dedication to their schoolwork in order to make a success of their lives.

He said that a laptop and an external hard drive would be procured and delivered very soon to the school. The ICT equipment included among others; 10 computers, a printer, air conditioner, Close Circuit Television and Video (CCTV) camera and computer shelves.

Receiving the equipment on behalf of the school management, Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) regional director-operations for Central, Mr Sonny Mooketsi said the donation was in line with the pillar of “An Educated and Informed Nation” and their Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP).

He thanked the mining company for the gesture and donation and said the company has been collaborating with government in education from way back. Mr Mooketsi said the company had been sponsoring students in various areas of education and built some facilities for the ministry.

He thanked Debswana for having fulfilled their corporate responsibility, urging that the good relationship should be natured by all. The regional director stressed that other local companies should take a leaf to emulate Debswana in assisting the government on such.

Echoing the sentiments of the school motto, which says “Deeds not words,” Mr Mooketsi said schools are expected to produce leaders who should be able to contribute to the development of the country in different spheres of life, thus this donation.

He appealed to the students to have faith in themselves and to reach for the stars, noting they should be optimistic in their schoolwork and not doubt their abilities. Mr Mooketsi applauded the general manager of OLDM in absentia for the gesture his diamond company has extended to the school, noting this would change the lives of pupils of Shashe Mooke. 

He said for education to be meaningful, there must be cooperation between parents and school management. Giving a vote of thanks, Kgosi Batshogile Adam said it was not the first time Debswana had made such a commendable job in his village.

He said over the years, the company built a two and half-roomed house for the less privileged in Shashe Mooke and installed 22 stand pipes in various homes. Kgosi Adam advised parents, school management and students to take care of the gadgets, hence the need for an installation of an alarm in the computer laboratory. ENDS