OLDM REACHES OUT TO BOTETI COMMUNITY
Debswana - Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) business goes beyond the mining of diamonds as it includes building a lasting legacy by uplifting the lives of the communities in which they operate, says Mogakolodi Maoketsa, OLDM General Manager.
Speaking at a recent stakeholder engagement meeting in Orapa to re-affirm the company’s commitment to uplifting Boteti region and give a progress update on initiatives by the mine geared at the same, Maoketsa highlighted that they continue to support the community in areas such as; Health & Wellness, Education, Food Security, Employment amongst others. For their part in education in the region, OLDM reports that an investment in education has seen Orapa Schools among the country’s Top 10 best performers to date. He mentioned that P10 million has been aside to be invested in socio-economic development projects under Corporate Social Investment during the 2022 financial year. The GM said most of the money will be channeled towards projects centered around the Debswana Government Schools Development Programme, Investing in skills for life equality projects – a partnership with Stepping Stones International, Food security projects based at Khwee and Xhumo villages, Mokopi Conservation Trust and many more.
Maoketsa told the gathering that there is a need for continuous and meaningful stakeholder engagement as the mine’s efforts are geared towards refocusing its CSI approach by investing in sustainable, high impact projects that would exist even beyond the mining of diamonds in Boteti. He implored all to be part of the movement through active participation. During a question and answer session, speakers commended OLDM for reaching out to them, and pleaded for the company’s increased footprint in the region. Kgosi Phillip Kopano of Mosu, encouraged the mine’s leadership to consider setting up projects in his village. Elijah Motsamai of Xhumo commended the mine for its continued visible livelihood support programmes for community members. He further implored mine management to have robust financial literacy programmes, especially for the youthful workforce as means to guide their future investments for themselves. The meeting was attended by, among others, royal leadership from Boteti region, Non-governmental Associations, VDC’ Chairpersons and Business leaders including management from LUCARA diamond mine, a neighbor mine to Debswana operations in the Boteti area.