12 Oct 2026

Jwaneng Mine demonstrated its first aid prowess by claiming the top two positions at the 2026 Botswana Chamber of Mines (BCM) Inter-Mine First Aid Competitions held in Maun on Saturday, with Team B emerging overall winner ahead of Team A, while Lucara Botswana secured third place.

The closely contested competition, hosted by MMG Khoemacau, brought together mining industry teams to demonstrate their practical first aid skills, teamwork and ability to respond effectively to workplace emergencies under the theme, “First Aid in Migration Contexts.”

The results underscored Jwaneng Mine’s investment in first aid training and preparedness, with its general manager, Mr Goitseone Gadifele, saying the outcome was consistent with the mine’s rigorous safety standards and established procedures.

Mr Gadifele said the standard of first aid in Botswana had improved significantly, attributing the progress to continued efforts to equip workers with the skills needed to respond to medical emergencies.

He said Jwaneng Mine took first aid seriously and extensively trained its employees, adding that every mine should adequately train personnel because of the hazardous nature of mining operations.

“Our victory did not come as a surprise, given the high standards and processes we have put in place to prepare the teams,” he said.

Botswana Chamber of Mines chief executive officer, Mr Charles Siwawa said the annual inter-mine competitions were intended to promote first aid as an essential skill, not only in the workplace but also in households and communities.

He said the competitions, which had been held at different locations over the past five years, provided an opportunity for participating entities to assess their capabilities, exchange knowledge and strengthen emergency response.

Mr Siwawa noted that the initiative evolved around the mining sector, with the ultimate objective being to ensure that more people could provide immediate assistance when emergencies occurred.

For his part, MMG Khoemacau general manager, Mr Logic Sebope emphasised the importance of first aid in the mining environment, where workers could sustain injuries or experience medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

He said trained employees played a critical role in providing initial medical assistance before casualties could be transported to hospital, making first aid preparedness an essential component of workplace safety.

Mr Sebope applauded participating teams and attendees for their contribution to the competition and commitment to continually sharpening their skills in preparation for emergencies.

Delivering keynote address, Pula Med principal officer, Dr Khumoetsile Mapitse said the competition provided a platform for strengthening teamwork, exchanging skills and sharing solutions to challenges encountered during first aid response.

He said the first few minutes of an emergency could determine whether a casualty survived, as professional medical responders might not arrive immediately.

Dr Mapitse said first aiders were often the first link in the chain of care, with the responsibility to recognise an emergency, make the scene safe and help keep casualties alive until further medical assistance became available.

He cautioned, however, that effective first aid was only part of the response, noting that casualties also needed to reach the appropriate medical care.

“The best of first aid in the world loses much of its value if the patient cannot reach the care they need,” he said, stressing the importance of an effective chain of response from the initial intervention to professional treatment.

On the competition’s theme, Dr Mapitse highlighted the need for emergency response systems to accommodate workers from diverse backgrounds, including those who had migrated from different communities and countries.

He said first aid preparedness should be inclusive and ensured that workers could receive timely assistance regardless of their backgrounds.

The competition attracted local leadership, including Batawana’s Kgosi Tawana II, North West district commissioner Mr Thabang Waloka and North West District Council Chairperson, Mr Itumeleng Kelebetseng.

The annual event reinforced the mining industry’s focus on emergency preparedness, practical skills development and workplace safety, while encouraging participating companies to maintain a high standard of first aid readiness.

Through the competition, the chamber seeks to strengthen a culture where first aid was recognised as a shared responsibility and a potentially life-saving skill in workplaces, homes and communities.  ENDS