28 May 2024

The President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, says with the looming sale of diamond giants, Anglo American and the constant threat to natural diamonds by synthetic diamonds, it is imperative for the diamond mining countries to continue safeguarding the authentic resource and protect its market.

Dr Masisi said Anglo American company was the largest consumer of De Beers diamonds with a stake of 80 per cent. 

He said Botswana has a 15 per cent  stake in De Beers as well as having co-jointly established Debswana, which was responsible for the mining of diamonds at the De Beers mines in the country. 

Addressing the African Gospel Church congregation in Gaborone on Monday,  Dr Masisi said it was important to protect the natural diamonds from the growing threat of lab-manufactured diamonds.

He said some American companies were currently engaged in the production of synthetic diamonds and therefore Botswana, being one of the largest natural diamond producing countries, must work hard to safeguard the market of its products to ensure that its development agenda was realised, as it was primarily financed by the diamonds generated revenue.

 He said Americans take more than 50 per cent of the market of the country’s diamonds, therefore, such a market must be protected. 

Dr Masisi said he would attend the JCK Las Vegas, the largest jewellery event in America where professionals and diamond traders would be gathered and engage with them on the importance of consuming natural diamonds. 

The event will be running from May 31 to June 03, 2024. “I am going there to protect our market and assure consumers of continued supply with the natural diamonds,” he said.

He said producers of synthetic diamonds have launched an attack on the production of natural diamonds. 

Dr Masisi said diamond producing companies were accused of environmental degradation as the diamond mining pits were in some areas never rehabilitated, therefore disturbing the ecosystem and natural habitat. 

“Going to America is part and parcel of the mandate as President, as it was not limited to only working within the borders of the country. I am going there to fight for what is best for the country,” he said.

Therefore, Dr Masisi appealed to the church to focus on prayer and to support his quest and give him guidance as he traverses the world in an effort to grow the economy of Botswana. ENDS