02 Oct 2016

The general manager of Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines, Mr Alan Breen has said Debswana is proud to share the journey of Botswana’s development story with government.

Mr Breen said during the unveiling of trucks signage at Maipaafela and Letlhakane/Mmatshumo Junction on Thursday.

The mine donated decommissioned trucks to Mokobaxane and Letlhakane community trusts.
The contribution the company has made in the past 47 years, he said was significant, noting that the role it played was not only mining of diamonds.

The First President Sir Seretse Khama and his government, he said ensured that diamonds belonged to the state.

Mr Breen said that translated to education, health and other infrastructure.

Mr Breen said Orapa alone has employed nearly 6000 people, saying people should pride themselves with this.

The trucks donated, he said were decommissioned which meant that they had been stripped off all equipment to make them safe and free from potential vandalism.

He said the trucks would be transitioned to the community over a six months period.
Debswana community relations, he said supported the communities to turn the sites in to long-term community and tourist attraction sites for the benefit of communities.

Mokobaxane Kgosi Kaponene said he was elated with the development, saying the site required to be safe guarded.

Member of Parliament for Boteti South, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe appreciated the donation, saying they had since longed for a feature that could signify that Boteti is a mining town.

He said their wish was to turn it into a tourist site, saying it was within the mandate of Zowa trust to have a diamond museum.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the trust has been given a hectare within an area where the truck is located, noting that they would like to have it fenced. Ends