25 Jul 2018

Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has appealed to Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) management to cater for their employees’ welfare.

 If attended to, employees’ welfare would ultimately translate into a productive workforce, Mr Tsogwane said during a meeting with  OLDM management in Orapa recently.

 He said there was need for a healthy, motivated and productive workforce. 

 About synthetic diamonds, the vice president advised Debswana to stay focused and ensure that the natural stones remained relevant. 

He said he was positive that the introduction of synthetic diamonds would not degrade the value of the natural stones.

In a different meeting, Mr Tsogwane told Debswana employees that the Localisation Policy was meant to empower capable citizens.  

He said it was unfortunate that it was now being discredited in certain quarters.

Mr Tsogwane also said it was a pity that some locals given the mandate to lead were not performing to satisfaction. 

He further assured OLDM employees that their concerns would be handled accordingly. 

On the issue of voluntary separation, Mr Tsogwane said the mine must have clear guidelines for the benefit of all employees saying it would be unfair for some to reap the benefits more than others.

Mr Tsogwane expressed the hope that the anticipated Cut 3 project aimed at expanding the mine would benefit locals. 

“We must carry out an impact assessment and establish as to how the locals will benefit from the project. 

As a government, our focus is more on citizen empowerment and improving livelihoods of our people,” he said.

An employee,  Mr Bethel Mohinamone had earlier requested that the project focus on empowering locals. 

He said a certain percentage of employment opportunities must be reserved for the locals. 

On security issues, Mr Tsogwane said the mine’s management  considered the current arrangement where employees were compelled to undress during security checks undignified hence the proposal for scanners. 

He said management would be further engaged on the proposed security measures.

Mr Tsogwane also told Debswana employees that his office was not aware that the media was denied access into the mine saying it would be a violation of press freedom.  

He was responding to suspicions that media houses were denied access into the diamond town.

About BCL closure, Mr Tsogwane said the mine was not profitable therefore government opted to close it rather than to continue financing it. 

He appealed to the employees to manage their lives accordingly in spite of their concerns about salary reviews and low increments. 

“Focus on saving for the future. Stop living beyond your means,” he said. ENDS