Debswana Diamond Dream Awards reward excellence

It was glitz and glamour for students of schools in and around Jwaneng as they gathered at the mine to be recognised for their outstanding performance in the 2016 final year examinations. The students were from primary and junior secondary schools.

The award ceremony was named Debswana Diamond Dream Awards. Guest speaker and Paramount Chief of Bangwaketse, Kgosi Malope II applauded the mine leadership for introducing the programme, saying it will encourage learning in all communities around Jwaneng.

“I have no doubt that our district will be encouraged by this programme and improve the pass rate in 2017. I am humbled by the fact that Debswana did not confine itself to communities close to the mine but instead have gone far afield to cover most of our primary and junior secondary schools in the district,” said Malope II.

He advised students that academic excellence was not only about the ability to score high marks or speak good English. “Academic excellence means one’s ability to cope with the changing world, it means to be visionary and always psychologically prepared to deal with future challenges.

This includes the ability to display superior performance in all scholastic activities and moral behaviour. So behave well and you shall forever excel in your studies,” urged Malope II. For his part, Jwaneng Mine General Manager, Albert Milton said hard work, persistence, resilience and determination are all necessary elements of lifelong pursuit of learning.

“It is no doubt that the world has become a global village, and to survive in this reality, our future leaders should be well-equipped. We must produce human capital that will remain competitive and therefore assist the country to achieve its vision,” he said, adding that the awards will mark a milestone forever in the region and that education remains the core light to human resource development.

He added, “The Diamond Dream Academic Awards are solely a recognition of your endeavours towards your achievements in academics. We as Jwaneng Mine remain committed to sustainable development.

We believe that through empowering learners and teachers directly, these awards will go a long way towards improving education in this region and indeed the whole country.”