11 Dec 2013

Vice President Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe attended the Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association (BDMA) dinner on Monday to bid farewell to one of the longest and first ever woman to play a role in the global diamond industry Ms Varda Shine. 

Ms Shine who spearheaded negotiations of the Diamond Trading Company  (DTC) relocation  from London to Botswana negotiations will serve as the executive vice president of DTC at the De Beers Group until January next year.

Speaking at the dinner celebration, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila expressed gratitude to what De Beers has achieved to have all the diamond value chain operating in the country. Mr Mokaila said his ambition was to see Botswana growing as a true diamond trading centre. He also expressed gratitude to the sight holders who have been playing a pivotal role in laying a foundation for the diamond sales in the country.

“Diamonds are a heartbeat and kingpin of this country and we all have to work towards assuring that this legacy stays up to benefit even generations to come”, he said.

Minister Mokaila said though the relocation process seems to be taking longer than expected, he hoped for a fast tracking of events for all to be set and done on time. BDMA Chairperson Mr Mervin Lipshitz described Ms Shine as a central figure in the diamond sector and a huge inspiration to many talented women aspiring to make impact in many different ways.

Dr Lipshitz said the example that Ms Shine has set shows that women today can make an astounding difference in the diamond industry. She has always risen to every challenge with her trademark energy, determination and drive to succeed, he said.

“The leadership role she plays amongst women and her extraordinary contribution to the global diamond industry shows just what a visionary leader she is”, he said.

One of her most important contributions, Mr Liptshits said has been her passion for driving public – private sector partnerships in Botswana as well as the promotion of beneficiation of Southern Africa. More than moving the vital arm of the DTC business to its diamond roots, he said Ms Shine has been highly instrumental in helping to build sustainable downstream activities which would ensure that Botswana enjoys broader economic growth and development from existing industries as well as new ones that would develop as a direct needs generated by the diamond industry.

“There is no doubtt that the impact of her legacy will resound for future generations”, he said.

Uprooting core operations of an industry and moving it across a continent, he said seemed as a seamless exercise, when in reality, it was an undertaking of epic proportions. For her part, Ms Shine described the relocation journey as a long and successful journey that dates back to 1950 when the first rough stones were found to the time of having Global sight holders Sales in Gaborone.

Ms Shine said there had been significant staging posts and achievements and that it was amazing to see how well Botswana developed instead of causing harm to the country. She said she felt proud of how De Beers played a role in Botswana’s diamond’s story yet ensuring that diamonds play a positive developmental role.

“It is truly heartening to see a forward –thinking ambitious and democratic set of politicians work so hard for the benefit of the citizens in the country”, she said.

She said Botswana and the broader Southern African region have an unprecedented opportunity to become one of the world’s leading diamonds centres. ENDS