Orapa and Letlhakane Mines General Manager’s annual 30 kilometer sponsored walk will take place this weekend. This will be the walk’s fifth anniversary, after running for five consecutive years. The walk is expected to attract over one thousand walkers.
Led by Orapa and Letlhakane Mines General Manager, Seb Sebetlela, the walk, which takes place from Letlhakane to Orapa, is an annual philanthropic partnership between the mines, business partners and the wider Boteti community. It is aimed at raising funds to meet the needs of the community.
“The walk, called the General Manager’s Walk, has to date generated over P400 000 which has been used to fund the psycho-social project for orphans and vulnerable children in Boteti,” read a communiqu├® from Orapa and Letlhakane Mines.
The funds generated through the general manager’s walk have been made possible by the generosity of various sponsors and other stakeholders including mine employees.
“The walk is also in line with Debswana’s commitment to creating a legacy of prosperity, sustainability and empowerment within the communities in which we operate and of living the company values of show we care and shaping the future,” read the communiqu├®.
Initiated in 2001 by then General Manager, Len Makwinja, the walk has grown to become a main feature in Orapa and Letlhakane and, indeed, on Boteti’s annual calendar, and has been hailed as one of the major events that are in line with the national vision 2016 ideal of a caring and compassionate nation.
Debswana’s Orapa and Letlhakane Mines have in the past undertaken some corporate social responsibility projects that are aimed at improving the lives of the communities in which they operate. Such initiatives include a 10.9 kilometer road linking Letlhakane village to the Orapa-Francistown road that was last year handed to the Central District Council.
The road is replete with modern construction works, such as culverts, storm water drains, cattle grid, bus bay and fencing. It was built by the mining company at a cost of P 22 million after repeated futile requests by the community to CDC, due to lack of funds.
In the past, Debswana also spent P 35.5 million on corporate social investment which included Orapa-Letlhakane and Damtshaa roads. Some of Debswana’s corporate social responsibility programs include an annual investment of P 100 million on its hospitals, schools, clinics and infrastructure development which are also accessible and beneficial to local communities.
The company also has a partnership with government in a project to provide ARVs at Orapa and Jwaneng mines. To date, the project has enrolled over 2000 people.