12 Aug 2026

The partnership between the Ministry of Higher Education and De Beers Group is delivering tangible opportunities for young Batswana through internships, international placements and specialised skills development programmes.

Speaking during an engagement with De Beers, Minister of Higher Education,  Mr Prince Maele said the collaboration showed the value of ensuring Memoranda of Understanding translate into practical results.

“When we signed our Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year, we did so with a clear understanding that the future of a nation is determined not only by the resources it possesses, but by the capabilities it builds,” Mr Maele said.

Under the partnership, young Batswana have gained exposure to key areas of the global diamond value chain, including polished diamonds, science and technology, safety and sustainability, finance and data analytics.
Seven interns took part in the programme in 2025. A further eight joined in 2026, with five of them from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the workplace by giving young people a chance to apply their knowledge in real settings while building professional skills and confidence.

The programme has also opened doors internationally. Two Batswana interns are currently working with the polished diamond team in London. Three graduates have been placed with Science and Technology in Maidenhead, United Kingdom, while two others are gaining experience with Element Six in Springs, South Africa, and London.

“These placements are more than international exposure. They are an investment in Botswana’s future technical, scientific and commercial leadership,” Mr Maele said. He added that the skills gained should boost Botswana’s competitiveness and strengthen the country’s participation in the global diamond industry.

Mr Maele also stressed the need for technical skills in national development, noting that Botswana must pursue both academic and technical excellence.

The partnership has further supported the TVET Revitalisation Agenda through the De Beers Diamond Academy Educator Skills Development Programme. Twenty tertiary educators received specialised training in rough and polished diamond technical skills. Participants came from institutions including the University of Botswana, Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology, and relevant government bodies.

For 28-year-old Katlego Gabotlhalefe, a jewelery design and manufacturing student at Oodi College of Applied Arts and Technology, the programme provided direct industry exposure aligned with his field of study.

Ms Gabotlhalefe expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the experience allowed him to complement classroom learning with practical industry knowledge.

De Beers Group Senior vice president, Ms Thabile Moipolai said the company was honoured to be part of a collaboration creating meaningful opportunities for young Batswana, and that more was still to come.

The programme forms part of wider efforts to strengthen collaboration between government, industry and academia. It also seeks to ensure that Botswana’s diamond resources contribute not only to economic growth, but to the development of local skills and expertise. ENDS