09 Jan 2022

Debswana Diamond Company has been applauded for being a critical stakeholder and game changer especially on youth unemployment and social upliftment related issues.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with Debswana management in Orapa on Friday, Acting President Mr Slumber Tsogwane said government could not achieve all its priorities without the support of partners such as Debswana.

He therefore encouraged the mine to continue working closely with stakeholders to bring hope to the Boteti region through different initiatives.

Mr Tsogwane’s words followed a briefing by Debswana Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa mines general manager Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa who had indicated that in 2021, the mine spent P9.5m on various development projects in the area.

The projects include Tsienyane classroom block, Mokopi Conservation, Diamond Dreams Awards, Letlhakane and Xhumo food security.

“We pledge our commitment to work with our stakeholders to develop Boteti region,” he said.

He said P5 million was invested in food security projects to create sustainable employment opportunities and promote agricultural value chains.

Mr Maoketsa said this year P10m would be channelled into community projects which were currently being reviewed.

He said Debswana also extended a helping hand to through its government schools development programme to improve academic performance in the region particularly in Science, Mathematics and English.

Orapa Junior Secondary School, the initial target of the initiative had benefitted immensely from it, he said.

Because of the programme’s positive impact, he said it had since been  extended to Mokoboxane, Kedia, Khwee, Malatswai, Mmeya and Mosu primary schools.

Mr Maoketsa explained that Debswana spent P1m on the programme annually in efforts to improve performance, develop and coordinate creative and innovative training programmes.

To support and promote diversity and inclusion, the mine also embarked on projects geared towards empowering women and the girl child, he said.

The programmes, he said included girls in engineering and women in engineering.

Outlining the mine’s plans, he said it intended to create 20 000 jobs by 2024.

Currently total employment stood at 2 604 comprising 77 per cent males and 23 per cent female.

Mr Maoketsa said citizens constituted 99 per cent of the mine’s staff complement.

An additional 3 161 workers were employed by the mine’s business partners, he said. Ends