Notice to our Stakeholders

Appointment of Okavango Diamond Company Managing Director

The Board of Directors and Management of Okavango Diamond Company is pleased to inform its stakeholders, and the general public, of the appointment of Mr Mmetla Masire as Managing Director of Okavango Diamond Company with effect from the 12th July 2021.

Mr Mmetla Masire joins Okavango Diamond Company, from the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology & Energy Security where he served as Permanent Secretary and Mineral Sector Advisor. Prior to this role he was the Chief Executive Officer at Water Utilities Corporation. Mr Masire has over 30 years experience in the diamond industry and has held several senior positions in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa, having worked for Debswana (Jwaneng, Orapa and Head Office), De Beers Marine and Namdeb. Some of the senior positions he has held include being the Debswana Group Engineering Manager, the Project Manager for the 90MW Power Station at Orapa, Technical Manager at De Beers Marine and General Manager at Orapa Mine.

Some of Mr Mmetla Masire’s notable milestones:

As the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology & Energy Security, he helped turn the ministry around to deliver effectively on its diverse mandates. He was able to strengthen the Energy sector by launching the Integrated Resource Plan.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Water Utilities Corporation he helped to stabilize water supply reliability and made the utility more profitable, thus reducing the Government subsidy.

During his tenure at the Diamond Hub, as the Relocation & Opportunities Coordinator, Mr Masire was responsible for driving, from a government perspective, the relocation of De Beers diamond sales function that was valued at US$6 billion per annum, from London to Botswana. He successfully completed this project ahead of schedule in 2013. He was also responsible for maximizing the benefits from opportunities associated with the relocation of Diamond Trading Company International to Botswana.

Mr Masire brings to Okavango Diamond Company a wealth of experience having served in several boards including De Beers, Debswana, Diamond Trading Company Botswana, Minerals Development Company Botswana, Botswana Tertiary Authority (now known as Botswana Qualifications Authority) and Human Resource Development Council to name a few. He is currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation and the President of Botswana Cycling Association. Mr Masire holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Electrical & Electronics from the University of Wales.

The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr Mmetla Masire to Okavango Diamond Company.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Dr Gape Kaboyakgosi Board Chairperson