05 May 2024

Botswana Diamond Manufacturers Association (BDMA) has been commended for supporting government’s efforts of aiding the informal sector.

This was said by the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Anna Mokgethi at the culmination of the association’s soccer tournament on Saturday in Gaborone.

Mokgethi, who is also area Member of Parliament, indicated that government had increased support for the informal sector as evidenced by the recently launched Chema Chema Fund.

She therefore, said it was a good thing that the private sector was also coming on board to similarly assist.

“In the last budget speech, it was revealed that the informal sector contributed 3.2 per cent to the economy, so I want to commend BDMA for also recognising the importance of this sector, and for supporting government’s efforts to develop the sector,” she said.

Mokgethi said for a number of years, the diamond sector had not been contributing meaningfully to job creation because of lack of value chain development in the sector locally.

She said it was now promising as most companies in the industry had started investing in Botswana, to tap on the value chain development.

“Diamond manufacturing companies currently employ about 4 400 people, which is commendable, but I want to implore you to employ more because we want to see more of our people benefiting from our diamonds,” she said and commended BDMA for realising the important of developing grassroots sport.

Mokgethi further indicated that although the tournament was in the form of social soccer, it meant a lot in bringing people together.

“Sport, especially football is the number one sport in bringing people together, and it is also a good form of building teamwork, which is a vital cog of productivity at work,” she said.

Mokgethi indicated that for productivity to be achieved, workers needed to work together just like they did in the field of play to reach a goal.

“We cannot succeeded in the work place unless we have team work,” she said.

For his part, BDMA chairperson, Siddharth Gothi appreciated the sponsors for ensuring the success of the tournament.

He said their annual sport tournaments assisted a great deal in giving employees the confidence needed in developing their personalities and character.

Meanwhile, Tache were crowned champions after edging out Fine Stars through penalties, and in the losers final, Pluznic claimed a bronze after defeating KGK.

The next tournament by BDMA will be netball followed by cricket. ENDS