04 Nov 2022

Batswana should be educated on the diamond industry and be involved in the processing and value chain sectors of the precious stones.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Talita Monnakgotla said this at a ceremony organised by Diamonds for Hope in collaboration with Lemon Technologies in Gaborone on Wednesday.

Ms Monnakgotla noted that Botswana was endowed with diamonds and that there was need to teach pupils about the industry in all its facets.

She also noted that Diamonds for Hope has embarked on a programme to teach youngsters from remote area communities diamond trading and jewellery marketing. She hailed the move , which she said was in line with the Vision 2036 aspiration of prosperity for all.

She added that her ministry embraced the initiative and applauded Diamonds for Hope for spearheading the move. “In my opinion, the time is now to develop a young Motswana in the rural areas on diamond skills and to empower them on how to become diamond traders,” she said

The assistant minister urged other stakeholders in the diamond industry to mentor youngsters.

In his remarks, Diamonds for Hope founder, Mr Tsholofelo Molapisi said the ceremony marked the beginning of an event that would be held every year. He explained that he was in the diamond polishing business and that he was motivated to start the company by a story that was published in a local newspaper chronicling extreme poverty in villages near diamond mines.

He said they had embarked on a two pronged skills development programme covering technology, diamond trading, jewellery marketing and trading.

Mr Molapisi also said he was confident that the programme would open doors for Batswana to access employment opportunities in the natural diamond industry.

He said the other approach was a targeted and ambitious initiative to include remote area communities in the diamond industry. He noted that it was piloted with Basarwa and was progressing well.

He also said he supported the introduction of basic diamond education in the curriculum and that they were ready to assist government with the rollout.

Mr Molapisi noted that they had partnered with a reputable International diamond company to effectively execute the second approach. He said they were collaborating with Lemon Technomist and Lemon Technologies which were members of the Lemon Group, and that they offered technology based diamond skills. 

He added that the Lemon Group had a strong research and development arm with offices in Dubai, Belgium and Hong Kong.

For his part, former Diamond Hub coordinator, Dr Akolang Tombale said the diamond industry was faced with a lot of uncertainties and that the hub was established to come up with solutions that could create sustainable diamond value chains.

Dr Tombale urged the youth to venture into the mining industry. He noted that leading economies such as those of the United Kingdom and Dubai thrived on natural diamonds yet they did not mine them. ENDS