04 Aug 2024

Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare has hailed Jwaneng Mine General Manager’s Soccer Fiesta as a key factor in transforming Jwaneng into a sporting and tourism hub. Speaking at the official opening of the third edition of the annual GM Soccer Fiesta Friday, the minister said the event not only resonated with national aspirations of creating a prosperous, innovative and inclusive society, but further contributed towards economic growth for the district and beyond.

“Through events like these, we are positioning Jwaneng as a destination where sports and tourism intersect. This does not only boost our local economy, but also enhances our community’s profile on a national and global scale,” he said and applauded Debswana for its commitment towards sport development which contributes towards sustainable and diversified economic growth.

In particular, he mentioned the company’s contribution toward the growth of regional teams such Botswana Premier League and Orange FA Cup champion, Jwaneng Galaxy, as well as the Jwaneng Galaxy Ladies football and netball teams.

He said success of these teams were a reflection of the support they received from Debswana.

Rakgare called on other businesses to emulate such a gesture, to ensure that stakeholders collectively contributed towards creating opportunities that could drive economic growth.

 “Let us continue to support our local teams, celebrate the success of our young entreprenuers and engage in more sustainable community initiatives. Together, we will drive forward the vision of transforming Jwaneng into a beacon of sports tourism and a testament to our national ambition,” he said.

Jwaneng Mine acting general manager, Goitseone Gadifele said that even though proceeds from the three-day tournament would be used to develop sports from grassroots, the overall objective was to create a positive socio-economic impact on the local communities.

He said the initiative was a unifying factor that formed the basis for success, within and outside sport.

“Today, we gather not only to celebrate our shared love for the beautiful game but also to reinforce the spirit of teamwork, friendship and a community that defines us. As we enjoy the excitement of soccer, let us remember the values of dedication, resilience and unity that drive our success both on and off the field,” he said.

He appreciated that the initiative was also a boost to the local business community, particularly those in hospitality, entertainment and the informal sector, among others, an indication that the company was contributing beyond the mandate of diamond mining, as espoused in their branding.

“This reflects our challenge to ourselves as Debswana employees to explore what more we can contribute beyond just mining diamonds,” he noted. ENDS