11 Sep 2017

Debswana mining company through its Jwaneng mine has constructed a water reservoir and an electrified pump station to ease water supply to three villages in Kweneng West.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Jwaneng mineg eneral manager Mr Albert Milton said the reservoir and pump station would improve water access to the villages of Maboane,

Takatokwane and Dutlwe which had been experiencing water supply challenges due to poor water pressure and a small reservoir.

He also pointed out that the size of the reservoir was no longer capable to supply enough water to the Maboane population which has increased over the years.

Through their corporate social investment arm, he said they commited themselves in relieving the  communities because apart from the mine’s reliance on water from the area, they were alive to the fact that access to clean fresh water was essential to human life.

“Jwaneng mine sources its water from this area and therefore with Maboane being the closest village to our wellfields, it was befitting that we, in partnership with other stakeholders, co-address water access for residents of Maboane.

The total estimated cost for the reservoir and electrified pump station is estimated at under a P1million.

The general manager also indicated that this was not the only project they have delivered this year.  Early this year the Jwaneng Mine handed five houses to Lefhoko village development committee, among others and highlighted that before the end of this year, they will handover kgotla offices in Tsonyane and Mahotshwane villages

He said that the mine has come up with another initiative in the education area where about P5 million will be used to fund the Diamond Dream awards.  

The awards entail cash incentives in order to motivate students,  teachers and schools in areas that they operate in.  

The best student will walk away with P10 000 while the best teacher will get P20 000 and the overall best school will compete for P50 000.

Mr Milton stated that the awards recognised the mere fact that for this country to progress and move forward “we need to encourage our future leaders.”

Giving the overview of the project, Jwaneng Mine corporate social investment chairperson Mr Tumelo Ntlhayakgosi  said through their CSI programme, Jwaneng mine has a responsibility to partner with communities in their vicinity to advance the socio-economic development landscape of the nation.  

He said the programme was anchored on key themes that they believed addressed the broader spectrum of human development

He further explained that they had partnered with communities in areas of education, environment, and capacity building for small business enterprises, arts and culture as well as health and sports development.

Remarking at the ceremony Water Utilities Corporation chief executive officer Mr Mmetla Masire commended Jwaneng mine for augmenting the corporation efforts of providing water to villages.  

He said to date WUC is responsible for providing water to 540 villages hence Debswana’s efforts in this regard were highly appreciated.

Kgosi Kaisara Phuthego of Maboane and Letlhakeng Sub -council chairperson Mr Tlotlo Batlhophi echoed the sentiments thanking Jwaneng mine for having resolved water shortages faced by these communities.  

They acknowledged that they were fortunate to have the mine come on board to ease water supply as it was not the case in other villages in some parts of the country. Ends