08 Nov 2021

Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi has implored mines to partner with government in supporting local businesses.

Speaking during a visit to Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines recently, he stated that government was committed to ensuring that Batswana actively participated in the country’s economy.

Mr Molebatsi noted that there was need for a coordinated relationship between the mines and local businesses, emphasising that mines were expected to buy from citizen owned businesses.

The ministry, he said, had the responsibility to ensure that the country’s economy did not decline, and as such had a target  to create wealth and millionaires in 10 years.

“We commit to ensure that the country’s riches benefit Batswana and the targeted citizens include women, remote area dwellers and those who have been underprivileged in the society among others,” he said.

He said a study had revealed a huge and ever widening gap between the rich and the poor.The minister indicated that some people continued to dominate others, which he said was not good for peace and social harmony.

Government, he noted, aimed to level the play ground to enable everyone to participate and benefit from the economy. He stated an Economic Inclusion Act had been passed to ensure success of the goal.

He further challenged the mines to create industries based on what was needed in the mines. 

“Let’s have a plan for life after mine, we do not want a repeat of the Selebi-Phikwe situation. Nurture an industrial hub,” he said.

Mr Molebatsi indicated that African countries were eager to do business with Botswana on various trade agreements, but local business lines were limited.

The local industrial growth, he said, was still slow, noting that it would ultimately reach its peak. He said the aim was to retool and re-skill graduates since there was a lot of unemployed graduates.

Citizen Economic Empowerment Programme, (CEEP) senior project manager from Debswana Mr Wanetsha Moakofi, said the company spent more than P4 billion on citizen businesses.

He indicated that OLDM was performing well in doing business with citizen companies, which had increased by 11 per cent in three years, and in 2021 it rose to 35 per cent of total supply chain.

He stated that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)’s expenditure was significant in company’s operating costs, but were not performing commensurately with respect to CEEP.

Management he said had proposed to make it a requirement that OEM should have a minimal citizen ownership participation of 30 per cent. 

It had been proposed that OEM be allowed up to the end of 2022 to transform.

OLDM general manager Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa, said the mine had witnessed colossal growth with respect to CEEP in the citizen service providers’ pool in the past decade. 

He said they were proud of the results brought forth by the redesigned CEEP. ENDS