27 Feb 2018

Corporate affairs specialist at Debswana Jwaneng Mine, Mr Rebaone Tswiio says it is their intention to leave an everlasting legacy in communities surrounding their area of operation.

Presenting to the Letlhakeng Sub-council recently, Mr Tswiio said through their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, they have been active in the socio-economic development of the 17 villages that they have a close association with by virtue of their proximity to the mine.

He said Jwaneng Mine reserved P3.7 million annually for their CSI projects, and that in the past the funds were distributed across many projects within the surrounding villages. However, he said the company has realised that such an arrangement resulted in each village getting a small amount that could not do any impactful projects.

He said they have resolved to assist the villages following a needs analysis in small batches annually so that the funds could be substantial enough to do bigger projects that could stimulate the socio-economic life of a community and create more opportunities for residents.

Mr Tswiio said some of the areas that they have interest in under their CSI programme included sectors such as health, education and arts and culture.

Through the Debswana Diamond Dreams Academic Awards, he said they have been rewarding excelling primary and secondary students, teachers and schools as well as helping small businesses through capacity building under the social performance programme.

He said Maboane in Letlhakeng Sub-district was one of the villages that had benefited through their CSI programme, citing the latest development where the mine completed a water reservoir and electrification of two pump stations at the village at a cost of P800 000.

He said the project also increased water reliability in Takatokwane and Dutlwe.

Mr Tswiio also said as a mining operation they thrived on sustainable company-community relations hence their move to regularly update relevant authorities such as councils on their activities in their area of influence.

He said a recent perception survey has revealed that communities around the villages that interact with the company indicated a positive perception on the company in areas such as trustworthiness, respect, compatibility of interest and legitimacy among others.

On other issues, Mr Tswiio warned the area leadership to be cautious of any promises by people claiming to be representing Debswana, saying as per the commitment procedure, any promises to communities by the mine could only be done by the mine general manager, corporate affairs manager or the CSI chairperson.

He said they have had to deal with promises that were unknown to the company, but existing as expectations in communities. He added that the issue could eventually dent relations between the two parties if not managed well.

In his comment, the councillor for Maboane/Ditshegwane, Mr Tshabahule Kgotlhang appreciated the move by the mine to update the council on developments in the area, saying it would also put them in a position to help spread the good deeds of the company.

He also appreciated Debswana for helping develop grassroots education, saying it goes hand in hand with the government’s plea that private companies should assist in education.

Mr Kgotlhang, however, pleaded with Debswana to help improve water reticulation in Maboane to the new plots as they had no running water.

However, Mr Tswiio said Debswana had no authority to reticulate water within villages, as it was the prerogative of Water Utilities Corporation as a licensed utility provider. ENDS