SAFDICO Botswana, a diamond trading sight holder, has expended its cooperate social responsibility by supporting the Graff Leadership Centre in Mochudi, which is expected to be launched tomorrow (Monday).
SAFDICO Chief Executive Officer, Rutang Moses, said that Safdico, through its majority shareholder, Laurence Graff’s FACET Foundation (For Africa’s Children Every Time), has developed the Graff Leadership Centre in Mochudi in partnership with Stepping Stones International (SSI).
She said FACET was established in 2008 by Laurence Graff, world renowned jeweler and diamantine. She stated that Safdico is one of the world’s leading diamond companies specializing in high-end diamonds of exceptional rarity. Safdico’s majority shareholder, Laurence Graff, launched the FACET Foundation in 2009 with the objective of giving back to the communities where Safdico operates.
“We want the Batswana youth to benefit from the diamond; we want to shape them for diamond related careers,” said Moses.
Moses revealed that Minister Dr P.H.K Kedikilwe will officially launch the centre on October 11th, as a centre offering an after-school programme, providing educational (leadership skills)and work opportunities for orphaned and vulnerable youth aged between 12 and 18.
Moses said Amantle Montsho (Botswana’s first gold medalist and World Champion) will also participate at the launching ceremony as a role model for youth, demonstrating motivation, perseverance and hard work.
“We have held before to NGOs like Lady Ruth Khama charity and SOS children’s villages,” said Moses.
Stepping Stones Director Lisa Jamu said SSI is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that serves orphaned and vulnerable adolescents aged 12-18.
She said enveloped in its program is the “Finding the Leader Within” leadership program housed in the newly constructed Graff Leadership Center in Kgatleng District.
Jamu said the partnership, in initiating the leadership program between Safdico, Facet and SSI, is a sterling example of a public and private partnership which contributes to the precepts of Vision 2016.
“Funds are always a challenge to us and thanks to the Embassy of the United States of America,” Jamu.
Jamu revealed that SSI offers life skills, psychosocial support, leadership skills and community mobilization.
