30 May 2021

First Lady, Ms Neo Masisi has applauded Jwaneng Cycling Club (JCC), Debswana Jwaneng Mine and a variety of donors for their contribution towards ensuring quality education in Machana settlement.

Ms Masisi was speaking at a handover of a classroom block and a porta cabin that was made possible by the club through fund raising.

She said the block was a great achievement looking at the fact that the school was not that old. She noted that it was already looking much better than most satellite schools across the country. 

“All this was possible with the support of the highest leadership in the country, including President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi who has been supportive of this area even when he was still the Vice President,” she said.

Ms Masisi said the classroom block was timely looking at the approaching winter period as well as the COVID 19 pandemic. She also noted that it would decongest existing classrooms. 

Ms Masisi also hailed Jwaneng Mine for being a good neighbour to communities in its periphery, saying their benevolence would help towards the national vision on achieving prosperity for all by 2036.

For his part, the general manager of Jwaneng Mine, Mr Koolatotse Koolatotse said when they wrapped up business, they wanted to leave communities around in a much better economic position than when they started operations, hence tailoring their corporate social responsibility projects around human empowerment.

“When we leave, we want to leave a much better legacy than what we found, and there is no better time to start than now,” he said. 

Mr Koolatotse also noted that their project mainly focused on basic needs such as education, health and water provision.

He cited the P11 million clinic that the mine was completing at Maboane, which will be officially opened next month, as well as provision of water at Mahotshwane among others. 

Mr Koolatotse also indicated that they encouraged the spirit of volunteerism among their employees and contracting partners.

“The mine will always encourage such a culture because it also helps raise the morale of employees apart from ensuring maximum benefits to the community,” he said. 

Mr Koolatotse also said because Botswana came a long way with mining, there was no need of engaging many foreigners or foreign companies as the country was now experienced enough to mine for itself.

The chairperson of JCC, Mr Olerato Duna noted that the project was completed in 10 weeks, which he attributed to dedication. 

He said they managed to raise the funds from the 2020 general manager’s charity cycle race as well as contributions from companies and individuals.

He said the total cost of the classroom block together with the porta cabin and furnishing was around P1 million.

Meanwhile, Debswana Jwaneng Mine also handed two classroom blocks at the new Sese satellite school worth P2 million.

 The chairperson of the Southern District Council, Mr Thamiso Chabalala said the structures would be used as a foundation for the construction of a fully-fledged school.

 

He said the gesture by the company would come in handy in reducing government’s expenses on the construction of the school. ENDS