The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) recently recognised Debswana and DeBeers for committing P10 million towards conservation and management of the Tsodilo World Heritage Site (TWHS). According to Debswana Managing Director Balisi Bonyongo, African Union (AU) Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma presented the award to the Dimond Trust Fund on May 5th, 2015 in recognition of the Tsodilo Community eco-tourism development initiative, which created jobs for Batswana through the making of crafts and management of camp sites. The Tsodilo Community Development Trust (THCDT) has generated over P400, 000 between July 2013 and October 2014 as a result of the funding.
Commenting on the award, Bonyongo said: “The multi-million Pula funding with which we supported the Tsodilo Hills Eco-tourism development project (THEDP) has benefitted the Tsodilo Community with employment creation, crafts and camp sites. THCDT has generated nearly half a million Pula in less than 18 months.”
“On the back of the impending success, we continue to support the development of grassroots sport. In liaison with the diamond Trading Company of Botswana (DTCB) and DBGSS we have sponsored various initiatives such as Re Ba Bona Ha programme, Botswana Football Association (BFA) National First Division 2014 Africa Youth Games to the tune of P6.7 million, P6 million and P2.5 million, respectively.”
