De Beers, the diamond mining stalwart, is committed to empowering youth of Botswana, by among others enhancing their capacity in the value adding activities within the sector.
This was said Wednesday afternoon by the De Beers Manager for Stakeholders and Government relations, Rebecca Quartey Papafio during the De Beers Group Designers Initiative (DBGDI), which incorporates the Shining Light Awards (SLA).
“Looking ahead, our aspirations are clear. We aim to make even greater strides in supporting the youth of Botswana and enhancing their participation in value-adding activities within the country. Our goal is to ensure that Botswana not only remains a leading producer of diamonds but also becomes a hub for skilled professionals who can contribute to the global diamond industry,” she stressed.
De Beers, which owns half of Debswana, said there are also focusing on creating a positive and lasting impact on the communities where they operate. “This includes efforts in beneficiation, which ensures that more of the value derived from diamond mining stays within the country, supporting local businesses and creating jobs,” she told the local press.
Meanwhile, Papafio said the primary objective of the SLA program is to discover and nurture the design talents of young people in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. “By providing a platform for young designers to showcase their creativity, the programmme aims to enhance skills development, foster innovation, and promote the diamond jewelry design industry,” she said. The SLA initiative aligns with De Beers’s broader vision of creating greater value within the country across the entire diamond pipeline, from mining to retail. The programme will continue to be a strategic driver of the delivery and implementation of De Beers Group’ s Building Forever sustainability strategy, under the Pillar of Accelerating Equal Opportunities focusing on supporting new talent in the diamond industry.
“By investing in the education and professional development of our youth, we are not only ensuring a more skilled workforce but also fostering a sustainable future for Botswana’s diamond sector,” noted Papafio. The SLA has existed for 27 years in South Africa, 16 years in Botswana and Namibia, respectively and 4 years in Canada.
Some of the companies that have benefitted from the Shining Light Awards include , a jewelry manufacturing company owned by Khumo Makwa, Caiphas Othomile, a jewelry educator and professional designer who designed the Miss Botswana crown that was adorned by Lesego Chombo and Laone Rahele, who is currently interning as a junior designer with De Beers Jewelers in London.
This was said Wednesday afternoon by the De Beers Manager for Stakeholders and Government relations, Rebecca Quartey Papafio during the De Beers Group Designers Initiative (DBGDI), which incorporates the Shining Light Awards (SLA).
“Looking ahead, our aspirations are clear. We aim to make even greater strides in supporting the youth of Botswana and enhancing their participation in value-adding activities within the country. Our goal is to ensure that Botswana not only remains a leading producer of diamonds but also becomes a hub for skilled professionals who can contribute to the global diamond industry,” she stressed.
De Beers, which owns half of Debswana, said there are also focusing on creating a positive and lasting impact on the communities where they operate. “This includes efforts in beneficiation, which ensures that more of the value derived from diamond mining stays within the country, supporting local businesses and creating jobs,” she told the local press.
Meanwhile, Papafio said the primary objective of the SLA program is to discover and nurture the design talents of young people in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. “By providing a platform for young designers to showcase their creativity, the programmme aims to enhance skills development, foster innovation, and promote the diamond jewelry design industry,” she said. The SLA initiative aligns with De Beers’s broader vision of creating greater value within the country across the entire diamond pipeline, from mining to retail. The programme will continue to be a strategic driver of the delivery and implementation of De Beers Group’ s Building Forever sustainability strategy, under the Pillar of Accelerating Equal Opportunities focusing on supporting new talent in the diamond industry.
“By investing in the education and professional development of our youth, we are not only ensuring a more skilled workforce but also fostering a sustainable future for Botswana’s diamond sector,” noted Papafio. The SLA has existed for 27 years in South Africa, 16 years in Botswana and Namibia, respectively and 4 years in Canada.
Some of the companies that have benefitted from the Shining Light Awards include , a jewelry manufacturing company owned by Khumo Makwa, Caiphas Othomile, a jewelry educator and professional designer who designed the Miss Botswana crown that was adorned by Lesego Chombo and Laone Rahele, who is currently interning as a junior designer with De Beers Jewelers in London.
