03 Jul 2024

Botswana Ash Mine, BOTASH, has unveiled its community bulletin magazine titled Tyaraa.

Tyaraa is a Sesarwa word meaning people. 

BOTASH’s Sales and Marketing manager, Moitshepi Sefako told media and the leadership of Nata during a tour of the mining company recently that the aim of the publication, which is published in Setswana, was to deepen the company’s ties with surrounding communities.

He said the annual publication was aimed at bringing  the company’s vision and values closer to the people.

“Tyaraa is our way of saying, we are here for you. This bulletin will offer a glimpse into the initiatives and projects we are undertaking to ensure that BOTASH leaves a positive legacy in the community we serve,” said Sefako.

He said the bulletin marked a significant step for BOTASH as it strived to engage and inform communities about its operations.

“Our commitment to our people does not stop at mining. We want to share our story and our work with them. We want to let them know that BOTASH is more than just a company but also part of their community,” he added.

Sefako emphasised the importance of making Tyaraa bulleting accessible to all the community members.

“By publishing Tyaraa in Setswana, we want to ensure that everyone can understands our message, our commitment, and our progress,” he said.

He highlighted BOTASH’s contribution to the community through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “The Nata kgotla shelter, the installation and upgrading of the water system at the teachers and student’s toilets at Tachibona Primary School in Dukwi, and the gravelling of the road from Malelejwe settlement to Sowa township are just a few examples of how BOTASH has made a tangible, positive impact on the lives of the community,” he added.

Nata Subordinate Tribal Authority’s  Kgosi Justine Ntuane hailed BOTASH for the publication and its  commitment to communicating with the communities in a transparent manner.  “The bulletin presents a major milestone in our partnership with BOTASH because it will help us better understand the company’s operations and aspirations, whilst also giving us a platform to voice our concerns and suggestions,” said Kgosi Ntuane.

He said the open dialogue would foster a mutual understanding and respect between BOTASH and the community.  He also commended BOTASH for rebuilding a kgotla shelter that had been swept away by strong winds.

BOTASH spent close to P1.5m on rebuild and providing roofing for the shelter which was initially built under Community Constituency Project initative.   

MP for Nata/Gweta, Polson Majaga applauded  BOTASH for its contribution in the development of communities surrounding the mine. He however, appealed to the company to consider donating salt to those who could not afford it, saying many families in the area struggled to afford this essential commodity which was used for both cooking and preserving food. He said the community depended on the Mophane worm, which is a staple food and a  source of income for many families in the area. 

“Cooking the mophane worm requires a significant amount of salt, and may households cannot afford to buy this basic ingredient. Your assistance in providing salt freely to these families would be a tremendous help,” said Majaga. ENDS