02 Oct 2022

De Beers Group on Wednesday handed over P800 000 worth of sponsorships to various beneficiaries through the De Beers Building Forever Project in Gaborone.

The vice president, Corporate Affairs at the De Beers Global Sightholder Sales, Ms Otsile Mabeo said the sponsorships were part of the De Beers Group Building Forever sustainability strategy aimed at making a long lasting contribution to the lives of the people in which De Beers operated.

She said the new partnerships, with different stakeholders, would greatly contribute in taking De Beers footprint to rural Botswana and places the brand had not previously been present in.

Ms Mabeo said the strategy was delivered under four key pillars; Partnering for Thriving Communities, Leading Ethical Practices, Protecting the Natural World and Accelerating Equal Opportunities. 

She said the company strongly advocated for women and girls empowerment, safety and health, including mental wellness, and was looking forward to seeing the funded initiatives succeed sustainably. Beneficiaries included Business Botswana, which received P500 000 towards the 16^th National Business Conference, which will take place this month in Francistown. 

As part of De Beers contribution to the conference, Ms Mabeo said for the first time the company would take diamonds to the city for the people of Francistown and surrounding areas to view and appreciate. 

Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe also benefited P250 000 for her Loojwa Le Sale Metsi Children’s Mental Wellness Awareness Programme, which she will use to visit schools around the country to address children on mental wellness.

The young golfers, Ms Maru Chokwe and Mr Edwin Madigele also benefited after their winning performance at Orapa Diamond Golf Challenge. 

Both youngsters were crowned young female and male champions respectively and each awarded a P30 000 vouchers to get diamond jewelry of their choice from the De Beers Forevermark store at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. However, Ms Chokwe, who is studying at a golf institution in South Africa, opted and requested that the voucher be transferred towards payment of her tuition to help her realise her vision to be a pro golf player.

Another beneficiary was Moselewapula Junior School which received P30 000 towards establishment of a media centre, to start a magazine for the school. 

Proceeds from the media centre will support the girl child with basic supplies such as sanitary pads on a monthly basis.ENDS