26 May 2022

South Africa’s Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Gwede Mantashe is in the country for talks on issues including Botswana’s bid to host the Kimberley Process  secretariat.

South Africa has already pledged to rally behind Botswana.

Kimberley Process is an inter-governmental forum aimed at ensuring that rough diamond purchases are not financing rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments.  

Briefing the media yesterday, Acting President Slumber Tsogwane confirmed that he was hosting Mr Mantashe for a bilateral meeting on mining cooperation issues.

Noting that Botswana was pitted against Austria and China in the Kimberley Process permanent secretariat bid, he said South Africa’s support was profound and would give Botswana a tough foundation in contesting for the position as the world’s leading diamond producing country by value. 

Mr Tsogwane said discussions would also cover other countries’ inclusion in the diamond mechanism. Mr Tsogwane, who was accompanied by Minister of Minerals and Energy Mr Lefoko Moagi said the nation would be kept abreast of all anticipated agreements from the bilateral discussions.

Minister Mantashe concludes his mission today. Ends