25 Aug 2026

De Beers Group is committed to partnering with institutions and communities for education excellence in Botswana. Speaking at a donation handover ceremony presented by De Beers Group in partnership with Konica Minolta at Maunatlala Junior Secondary School, De Beers Group representative Ms Gosego Phirinyane said meaningful collaborations were what would move society forward. She said access to the right tools by students and teachers could make a significant impact in education. 

“This is why we saw it fit to partner with Konica Minolta to donate two heavy duty printers, maintenance of these machines for 12 months and duplicating paper for 12 months,” said Ms Phirinyane. She further added that the donation would assist in printing materials for learning, revision and testing for Maunatlala students. 

“I want to encourage you students to recognise that your circumstances will not stop you from positively contributing to your country and also, your circumstances will not be like this forever,” she added. Ms Phirinyane further said with the downturn of diamond sales, the country’s hopes of diversification were squarely rooted in students of today. 

“Re beile mo go lona go re isa pele and please learn boldy,” she said as she encouraged students to study hard and be ready to take over the economic reigns in future. Konica Minolta representative Ms Refilwe Maribeng said the value of the entire donation was a little under P200 000. Mr Kebame Montwedi, Maunatlala CJSS School Head said the school has a total of 450 kids and 15 classes. “We admit students from Maunatlala, Seolwane, Mokokwana, Maunatlala and Mosweu amongst other villages,” he said. Speaking on their academic performance since 2021, Mr Montwedi said they attained pass rates of 26.4 per cent, 28.8 per cent, 33.8 per cent, 39.4 per cent and 20.8 per cent respectively. 

“This year we aim to do better than all our previous years,” he said, adding that they were grateful for the donation by De Beers Group in partnership with Konica Minolta. Highlighting some of the challenges they faced, Mr Montwedi said dilapitated infrastructure was a huge concern. “Most classes don’t have windows, ceilings and doors,” he said. 

Other challenges he mentioned lack of electricity in most classrooms which affected revision and cancellation of evening study time, no internet, no resources in science labs, no furniture for students and teachers, and no air-conditioners in the computer lab. “Our library books are as old as the school which was established in 1984,” he said, adding that teachers have laptops and students have access to a computer laboratory, but there was no Internet. ENDS