Botswana and De Beers Partnership Fascinates the Minister of Mining

        By Rorisang  Mahlo

“This is the glorious and the smartest partnership one has ever witnessed between Batswana and De Beers Group of Companies; and its best befitting description could be “a full mind-blowing and a unique economic revolution of its kind. Evidently, Batswana got it right the first time,” acknowledged Hon. Keketso Sello. 

Above all, “this portrays a picture of what the patriot has to learn and replicate for the benefit of the country- The Kingdom in the Sky.” This words were uttered by Hon. Minister of Mining in his analytical review at the end of a one day Diamond Conference held at Palm Hotel in Botswana, on 13^th of November 2018.

The Ministry of Mining in Lesotho was invited by their Botswana counterpart, Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology, and Energy Security with the spirit of continuous engagement towards establishment of a multi-faceted bonds of assistance to each other for the socio economic benefit of the two diamond producing countries.

“What strikes me most is the fact that both Lesotho and Botswana got their independence in 1966 from Britain and the question is why did we not take the route that Batswana took while we were sharing so many things! Again both countries had a diamond prospecting interaction with the same company - De Beers, and why did we kill the goose that lays the golden egg by letting it go, “mofutsana ha ana laki maan,” said Hon. Sello shaking his head with disbelief. 

   

However, this year’s set theme was: “Leading Business for Social Capital” and the conference was discussing sustainable investment trends, consumer insights, strategic partnerships, building brand value, and the influence of diamonds and style, hence the involvement of fission sector, which was a unique and the stylish way of showcasing diamond in beneficiation with proper linkages to other sectors.   

The 2018 Botswana Diamond Conference was said to be on its fifth year with both  De Beers Group and Botswana’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Energy and Energy Security teaming up to bring speakers from the world of government, industry, financial institutions, the media and fashion as part of the company’s partnership with the Government of the Republic of Botswana.

To mark the importance and the value attached to this event, the two Botswana partners opened this event with the high-profile speakers including a keynote address from His Excellency Mokgweetsi Masisi, The President of the Republic of Botswana. Also speaking at the conference was Honourable Eric Molale, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, as well as top executives from De Beers Group. The delegates from all over the world were roughly estimated at 600 people.

The De Beers Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bruce Cleaver said, “Those in the private sector have an opportunity to build social capital not only through making investments in sustainable development, but also by sharing and communicating our insights. These include topics such as how to create stronger routes to market; how to build successful brands; how to foster competitive advantage; how to understand consumers; and how to communicate to the wider world.”

Furthermore, Mr. Cleaver went on to show that, meanwhile, their host countries and communities can support and accelerate it through activities such as creating a receptive and an enabling atmosphere; by matching skills development to meet the business sector requirements; and providing a secure and predictable environment in which enterprises can flourish to an extent of fully dominating in the process of job creation.

This event was closed by the top notch evening reception to celebrate the official launch of the first Forevermark Jewelry Store erected within the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, by the guest of honour, Her Excellency, Mrs. Neo Masisi, the First Lady of the Republic of Botswana.

In general, the partnership between the government of Botswana and the De Beers Group of Companies comprises four companies, all operating from Botswana, and they are:

• De Beers Holdings Botswana- the exploration arm of De Beers in Botswana;
• Debswana- a 50/50 joint venture between the Government and De Beers, which is the primary producer of diamonds in Botswana;
• Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB)- a 50/50 joint venture between the Government and De Beers, which sorts and values rough diamonds mined by Debswana; and lastly;
• De Beers Global Sightholder Sales (DBGSS), the rough diamond sales arm of De Beers, the company that is responsible for selling the bulk of De Beers’ global production to its rough diamond customers (called Sightholders).

According to the Online 2018 De Beers “Report to Society,” the 50 years old partnership seem to be paying dividends for the country and the Republic of Botswana is currently rapidly booming. “In every street and every corner of the main city and its outskirts, there are many new structural developments happening,” shows the report.

Finally, the Government of Lesotho, through the Ministry of Mining, is working very closely with the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) and officials of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security of the Republic of Botswana to exchange some thoughts on the new mining legislation for Lesotho.