A procurement controversy has clouded Botswana’s historic hosting of the Debswana World Athletics Relays 2026, with questions raised over how the athletes’ diamond-encrusted medals were sourced and designed.
The medals, valued at P10 million and produced by South African firm Nungu Diamonds, were unveiled as a showcase of Botswana’s diamond identity.
Each medal featured a locally polished diamond and design elements inspired by the zebra, the Mohembo Bridge, and diamond brilliance.
The Okavango Diamond Company, Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the event coordinators- the Local Organising Committee (LOC)- have been drawn into the storm regarding the procurement process and the Intellectual Property (IP) as a local jeweller demands answers.
Botswana became the first African country to host the World Athletics Relays in May this year since their inception in 2014.
The medals were designed and produced by Nungu Diamonds under a procurement process allegedly managed by the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) and the Local Organising Committee.
Information published on Nungu Diamonds’ social media platforms appears to confirm the company’s involvement in the project. According to the Project Details: The Medals, 120 exclusive gold, silver, and bronze medals were valued at P10 million.
Sources within ODC claim the procurement process may have violated the company’s procurement framework, which publicly states that goods and services are procured through transparent and competitive tendering
processes aligned with the Public Procurement Act of 2021.
The LOC is also said to have been involved in the process, according to sources; no public tender was allegedly issued for the medals project. This has raised suspicions that the company could have been directly appointed. It remains unclear how Nungu Diamonds was identified and selected.
Local jewellery companies had reportedly submitted proposals and concepts for the medals.
A leaked invoice seen by this publication shows an advance payment exceeding P3 million being made before production commenced. There are allegations that intellectual property linked to a Botswana jewellery company may have been used without authorisation.
“The matter raises wider questions around compliance with public procurement regulations, citizen economic empowerment, use of local creative talent, due diligence procedures and protection of intellectual property in state-linked projects,” a source familiar with the matter said.
Documents seen by Botswana Guardian reveal that a local jeweller (names withheld) has raised concerns regarding the entire process after the firm, which came up with the concept, was dumped along the way.
Letters of communication show that both the ODC and the Ministry of Minerals were made aware of the matter, but failed to act on it, even before the main event was held.
The matter was later escalated to the Office of the President through a letter in April this year. According to the jewellery firm, nothing was done.
The ODC has since been put on a Notice of Intent to sue. While being dragged into the matter, ODC has distanced itself from the procurement process, maintaining that it was only a sponsor.
According to sources, ODC and the ministry were involved, including at some stage the Ministry of Sports. Information shows that the selected company- a South African firm, Nungu Diamonds, is the supplier of the complainant firm.
ODC confirms that it was not the procuring entity responsible for the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 medals.
"ODC participated in the initiative as a Supporter (sponsor) under an agreed Event Supporter Agreement with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26," ODC Corporate Affairs Department, said this week.
According to ODC, procurement-related questions, including the procurement method applied, fall under the mandate of the LOC and its relevant event governance and contracting structures.
It states that its contribution was limited to a sponsorship package valued at P10 million which covered the supply of medals and related costs, Botswana Television broadcasting rights, marketing rights, and the official opening ceremony.
ODC, a rough diamond marketing company wholly owned by the government, said as part of its sponsorship objectives to promote local beneficiation, ODC collaborated with its marketing agency, The Dialogue Group, and engaged two of its local diamond customers, Ankit Gems Botswana and SRK Export, to polish the diamonds locally, showcasing Botswana’s skills and manufacturing capabilities.
“With respect to allegations concerning intellectual property related to the medal design, ODC confirms receipt of correspondence raising these concerns. In line with good governance, ODC formally referred the matter to the LOC, the responsible event authority, and sought legal guidance.
The issue was addressed through legal counsel, and although litigation was indicated, no court proceedings were instituted by the complainant,” the entity said in response to a questionnaire sent to them.
ODC says it has therefore acted on legal advice and sees no basis for an internal investigation. The company reassured that it remains committed to transparency, sound governance, and supporting national initiatives in a manner that is responsible, lawful, and within the scope of its defined role.
The Ministry of Minerals and Energy had not responded to a questionnaire sent to them. Efforts to solicit a comment from LOC Chief Executive Officer Moses Bantsi were futile at press time.
The medals, valued at P10 million and produced by South African firm Nungu Diamonds, were unveiled as a showcase of Botswana’s diamond identity.
Each medal featured a locally polished diamond and design elements inspired by the zebra, the Mohembo Bridge, and diamond brilliance.
The Okavango Diamond Company, Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the event coordinators- the Local Organising Committee (LOC)- have been drawn into the storm regarding the procurement process and the Intellectual Property (IP) as a local jeweller demands answers.
Botswana became the first African country to host the World Athletics Relays in May this year since their inception in 2014.
The medals were designed and produced by Nungu Diamonds under a procurement process allegedly managed by the Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) and the Local Organising Committee.
Information published on Nungu Diamonds’ social media platforms appears to confirm the company’s involvement in the project. According to the Project Details: The Medals, 120 exclusive gold, silver, and bronze medals were valued at P10 million.
Sources within ODC claim the procurement process may have violated the company’s procurement framework, which publicly states that goods and services are procured through transparent and competitive tendering
processes aligned with the Public Procurement Act of 2021.
The LOC is also said to have been involved in the process, according to sources; no public tender was allegedly issued for the medals project. This has raised suspicions that the company could have been directly appointed. It remains unclear how Nungu Diamonds was identified and selected.
Local jewellery companies had reportedly submitted proposals and concepts for the medals.
A leaked invoice seen by this publication shows an advance payment exceeding P3 million being made before production commenced. There are allegations that intellectual property linked to a Botswana jewellery company may have been used without authorisation.
“The matter raises wider questions around compliance with public procurement regulations, citizen economic empowerment, use of local creative talent, due diligence procedures and protection of intellectual property in state-linked projects,” a source familiar with the matter said.
Documents seen by Botswana Guardian reveal that a local jeweller (names withheld) has raised concerns regarding the entire process after the firm, which came up with the concept, was dumped along the way.
Letters of communication show that both the ODC and the Ministry of Minerals were made aware of the matter, but failed to act on it, even before the main event was held.
The matter was later escalated to the Office of the President through a letter in April this year. According to the jewellery firm, nothing was done.
The ODC has since been put on a Notice of Intent to sue. While being dragged into the matter, ODC has distanced itself from the procurement process, maintaining that it was only a sponsor.
According to sources, ODC and the ministry were involved, including at some stage the Ministry of Sports. Information shows that the selected company- a South African firm, Nungu Diamonds, is the supplier of the complainant firm.
ODC confirms that it was not the procuring entity responsible for the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26 medals.
"ODC participated in the initiative as a Supporter (sponsor) under an agreed Event Supporter Agreement with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Debswana World Athletics Relays Gaborone 26," ODC Corporate Affairs Department, said this week.
According to ODC, procurement-related questions, including the procurement method applied, fall under the mandate of the LOC and its relevant event governance and contracting structures.
It states that its contribution was limited to a sponsorship package valued at P10 million which covered the supply of medals and related costs, Botswana Television broadcasting rights, marketing rights, and the official opening ceremony.
ODC, a rough diamond marketing company wholly owned by the government, said as part of its sponsorship objectives to promote local beneficiation, ODC collaborated with its marketing agency, The Dialogue Group, and engaged two of its local diamond customers, Ankit Gems Botswana and SRK Export, to polish the diamonds locally, showcasing Botswana’s skills and manufacturing capabilities.
“With respect to allegations concerning intellectual property related to the medal design, ODC confirms receipt of correspondence raising these concerns. In line with good governance, ODC formally referred the matter to the LOC, the responsible event authority, and sought legal guidance.
The issue was addressed through legal counsel, and although litigation was indicated, no court proceedings were instituted by the complainant,” the entity said in response to a questionnaire sent to them.
ODC says it has therefore acted on legal advice and sees no basis for an internal investigation. The company reassured that it remains committed to transparency, sound governance, and supporting national initiatives in a manner that is responsible, lawful, and within the scope of its defined role.
The Ministry of Minerals and Energy had not responded to a questionnaire sent to them. Efforts to solicit a comment from LOC Chief Executive Officer Moses Bantsi were futile at press time.
