We the members of Zowa Development Trust (ZDT), an organisation aimed at advocating for and ensuring continued sustenance of livelihoods post the diamond era, wish to take this moment to recognise and appreciate the good deed and benevolence demonstrated by Karowe/Boteti Diamond Mine and Lundin Foundation towards the residents of Boteti region, in setting up a loan scheme to boost business specifically and especially for residents of Boteti.
This is in no small measure a great feat that needs to be appreciated and put to good use by interested residents. We recognise that the mine, within its limited resources, found it fit to plant back into the community, in a more sustainable manner hitherto unknown in the poverty stricken though rich Boteti region. ZDT has over the years advocated for direct impact on the lives of the people. It had always been against popcorn donations meant to create fanfare about nothing.
We have always advocated for the setting up of a fund that will help create industries and factories that will turn attention away from diamond and prepare the area for life without diamonds, for surely diamonds are not forever.
Against this backdrop, ZDT wishes to urge other mining companies in the area of Boteti to directly participate in the lives of the people and to discontinue their meaningless ‘‘PR stunts” short term donations. We need relationships that create employment and long lasting benefit. It is a known fact that the people of Boteti have been deprived of land and water by mining giants operating in the area. Whilst this is for the benefit of the nation, we wish to note that there is need to set up a fund to help businesses grow in the area. We encourage other companies in the area to emulate Boteti/Karowe.
Whilst we appreciate the feat by Karowe/Boteti mining, we also wish to encourage the company to, in future, consider increasing the loan to at least a million Pula per project. Well done Boteti Mining you have walked on unchartered waters and shown others that it is doable!
ZDT takes this moment to encourage all the people of Boteti to visit the nearest Barclays bank branch to get more details about the fund and to put it to good use. We also encourage beneficiaries to demonstrate accountability by not running down their businesses with irresponsible business behaviours.
Secretariat,
Zowa Development Trust
