27 Nov 2018

 Jwaneng mine general manager, Mr Koolatotse Koolatotse has attributed Botswana’s diamond success story to good leadership and management.

Briefing the media during a mine tour, Mr Koolatotse said since its commissioning in 1982, Jwaneng mine had been able to effectively and safely mine diamonds for the benefit of the nation.

He said diamonds were able to replace beef as the major contributor to Botswana’s export earnings as well as increasing the literacy rate from 30 to 82 per cent.

“Diamonds contribute 88 per cent of Botswana’s total export earnings and our diamonds have transformed the country’s economy in over 50 years,” he said.

He noted that Debswana was keen on local empowerment, hence 80 per cent of their procurement was from local companies while the remaining 20 per cent was mainly from South Africa.

However, he called on local companies to come forth so that local procurement could increase.

Mr Koolatotse said Jwaneng mine through its corporate social investment programme, had been able to contribute to developments of communities within their zone of influence.

He said they had undertaken projects in areas such as health, education, water supply and sport among others.

Mr Koolatotse said that Debswana’s two hospitals, which operated on an annual budget of P160 million, did not only cater for Debswana workers, but surrounding communities as well.

This, he said showed their commitment to providing quality health services to the communities they operated within.

For his part, the assistant general manager, Mr Sedireng Serumola acknowledged the role of the media as partners in development.

He said the objective of the tour was to share the story of diamonds for development with the media as they played an important role in the development of the country.

“We are glad to have shared important areas such as operational efficiencies and safety issues, which we are doing well in,” he said.

He underscored the need for the public to be informed about diamonds and their contribution to the economy. ENDS