11 Jun 2017

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe has commended Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines’ employees (OLDM) for donating a house worth P134 000.

Mr Lelatisitswe appreciated the employees’ contribution during a handing over ceremony held in Letlhakane on June 8.

The beneficiary, Ms Duduetsang Tharienngwe, who is living with diasbility, received a furnished house and some grocery.

The house has a single bedroom, lounge, kitchen, a combined toilet and bathroom.

Mr Lelatisitswe expressed gratitude to Debswana management for rethinking their strategy and encouraging development in Boteti Sub-district in a social manner.

That, he said, emphasised the best means of partnership with the community to develop and assist where possible towards a sustainable and responsible mining.

The dignity of Ms Tharienngwe and family, he said, had been restored and their claim to the right to shelter had been strengthened.

The country, he said could only be peaceful and prosperous if Batswana could emulate what Debswana employees did to uplift each other as a loving and harmonious nation.

Mr Lelatisitswe said government alone could not address the challenges of the country, noting that the gesture by Debswana employees demonstrated spirit of unity.

He said it was an good gesture that resonated well with OLDM values of being compassionate and showing that they cared for those they lived with.

The house, he said was built through contributions from employees coupled with collaborations with other business partners.

The employees, he said had heeded Presidential housing appeal by restoring the dignity of those in need through shelter provision.

The senior mining manager, Mr Johane Mchive said the aim was to turn Ms Tharienngwe’s diamond dream in to a lasting reality.

He noted that the mining department at Debswana’s Orapa Mine embarked on a community project where the main objective was to assist the less privileged members of the community.

Mr Mchive said each employee was committed to contributing P100, with some donating building material in the form of river sand.

Debswana Diamond Company, he said assisted in the project by topping up the raised amount to ensure that the project budget was met as per the commitment to Corporate Social Investment projects taking place in Boteti region, and that amounted to 30 per cent of the project’s total expenditure.

BJ Builders, he said donated roofing tiles while African Explosives Limited (AEL) donated cash amounting to P20 000.

The house, he said was constructed by Bekezela Sithole, who also made a discount on the original price he charged as a way of contributing to the project.

Ms Tharienngwe appreciated the donation saying it had restored her dignity. ENDS