This Moitoi is Toying With Our Democracy
July 19, 2008
EDITORIAL
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is rapidly turning herself into a by-word for a usurper of freedom of expression and other civil liberties. Just what is Venson-Moitoi trying to achieve?
We got a glimpse of what Venson-Moitoi is trying to achieve on the Botswana Television news broadcast on Wednesday. The whole broadcast was all about her as if she is the only news happening in Botswana.
We lost count of how many times she appeared on Venson-Moitoi’s long reels, some of them repeated. After all she is the minister of communications and she can direct the Btv and the whole government broadcasting empire to force a diet of Venson-Moitoi on the nation.
It seems Venson-Moitoi will not stop at anything even if means usurping power from democratic institutions to selfishly nest her partisan political office. At the moment, Venson-Moitoi is engaged in a queer ego trip to put before parliament a Media Practitioners Bill which only compares to Zimbabwean Robert Mugabe’s Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, an act that is responsible for information torture in Zimbabwe.
While the trend in the world is to allow the press to be independent from government control and to be regulated by a council that is made of representatives from the public, press and other stakeholders, Venson Moitoi wants to arrogate to herself the responsibility of appointing this council. God forbid!
We thought this should be easy for ‘honourable Venson Moitoi to understand: The council cannot be free from her political interference when a politician appoints them. Already there is a self-regulatory mechanism in the form of the Press Council of Botswana in place. If there are deficiencies in this structure let us strengthen it rather than substituting it with the most draconian bill as conceptualised by our Venson-Moitoi.
This country has made tremendous gains in broadening our democracy and it would be tragic if we could allow a Venson-Moitoi to throw us back many light years into the dark ages.
We do not know much about Venson-Moitoi’s democratic credentials except that she served government as a permanent secretary until she left at that dark period when corruption rocked the ministry that she led during Letsholo’s BHC debacle. But for her to have been brought back into the big league we believe it is not out of friendship but because it is believed that she can advance democracy and this society.
Why is Venson-Moitoi smothering our expectations and killing our belief in Botswana as a truly democratic state? With impunity, the honourable Venson Moitoi is even deviating from the agreements and principles that were undertaken by a group that crafted the principles that would have led to a truly self-regulated structure, a structure, which she was part of.
President Khama told us on his inauguration that he is a democrat and we believe him. We do not think Khama is behind the Venson-Moitoi’s bid to control the press and eventually control freedom of expression as Mugabe and other dictators of the world do.
Venson-Moitoi should be told in very clear terms that our adherence to democracy will not be made the subject of negotiation. We expect her to be advancing freedom of expression like bringing to parliament a freedom of information bill rather than the retrogressive charade that she is hooked on.
What a let down Venson Moitoi is proving to be!
This Moitoi threatens our civil liberties. Let us stop her before she turns us into another Zimbabwe.
BCP and BAM Arrange to Wed
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Oarabile Mosikare
Francistown
Just like other opposition parties, the Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM), will meet here on Sunday for their annual delegates conference.
The president of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Gilson Saleshando, is expected to officially open the BAM conference at Leseding hall at 9am.
The BAM secretary general, Matlhomola Modise, disclosed that the leader of BAM, Ephraim Lepetu Setshwaelo, will travel to Bobonong where he will officially open the BCP congress. The two parties have signed a PACT agreement to contest next year’s general election together.
Later in the day, BAM delegates will discuss the 2007-8 secretary general’s report and treasurer’s report.
"We will sit down and discuss pertinent issues affecting our party. We will also discuss strategies to bolster our electoral fortunes next year", revealed Modise.
The BAM-BCP PACT was taken with a pinch of salt by a section of BCP followers especially in Francistown West, which was awarded to BAM. Secretary for economic affairs, Whyte Marobela, who lost in the 2004 general election, demanded that primary elections be contested at the troublesome constituency.
The bitter followers initially threatened to take their party to court over the matter. At one time BCP secretary general, Taolo Lucas, was dispatched here to extinguish the fires. But as far as Modise is concerned there is no issue regarding his candidacy at Francistown West.
Modise pointed out that the agreement has been sealed. To him, the PACT with BCP will yield positive results and so far there has not been any problem. He said he accepted the dissenting voices as a norm in any democratic organisation.
Regarding the tension in Francistown West he explained that there is no need for the conference to discuss that. "We are busy tailoring strategies to win the constituency," he said.
There have been some reports that the PACT partners are pondering the possibility of a total merger.
Modise agreed: "If the conditions dictate we don’t have a problem. BAM is a pioneer of opposition cooperation and if after the general elections there is a prospect to merge that will be welcome".
Property Booms Amidst Activox Suspension
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Wanetsha Mosinyi
It was announced last May that the Activox Refinery project being built near Francistown by Tati Nickel, a subsidiary of Russia’s Norilsk Nickel, was to be postponed indefinitely.
Francistown, which has been experiencing an economic boom as a result of unprecedented mining activity around the city and in northern Botswana, has been left uncertain about the future.
Hundreds have lost their jobs, prompting unions to remonstrate. They even lodged an unsuccessful case with the Industrial Court.
However, contrary to some reports, the Tati Nickel Mine itself is not threatened. It will keep producing concentrates, which are smelted into copper-nickel matte at BCL Mine in Selebi-Phikwe.
There are still good prospects for the expansion of the open pit operations at Phoenix Mine, as well as for the re-opening of the nearby Selkirk underground mine.
On this basis, Francistown’s property market boom should continue. Property experts who spoke to Business Week say they do not foresee a recession due to the suspension of the Activox project.
The Property Manager at the Francistown branch of Willy Kathurima Associates, Elijah Gwamulumba, says demand for property in Francistown remains robust and that it flows largely from Tati Nickel Mines ,which are forecast to operate until 2019. There is also gold mining at Mupane Mine, which was recently given a lifeline by its parent company Iamgold, increasing its lifespan to 2013. And though African Copper’s Mowana Mine is located near Dukwi, its construction operations were based in Francistown where its main office is still located.
Gwamulumba says the vast majority of the Activox job losses affected employees of sub-contractors who were based and housed at the project site, and should not affect the residential property market in Francistown. But he does admit that the suspension of the Activox project is regrettable because once completed, it was going to attract professionals to work at the refinery who will need executive residential accommodation in Francistown.
The one property-related project that came to a halt is the proposed Francistown Golf Estate because one of its main drivers is Tati Nickel. When Tati Nickel was still owned by LionOre, it committed to building some units for its executives at the estate. But since Norilsk took over, the project has seen very little progress, though one of managers close to the project says the project is still on. The man who wants to remain anonymous says the fact that developers, Time Projects, recently acquired Tati Company’s three properties at P75 million is a sign of confidence the company has in the future of Francistown.
Growth in government spending and numerous initiatives being introduced by the new administration of President Ian Khama are other factors that economists believe should boost economic growth in centres like Francistown.
Meanwhile, Norilsk’s decision to put its Activox project on ice - which was to be a world first - appears justified. Rising costs of construction, equipment and project management halted several projects around the world. For Norilsk’s Activox, capital costs jumped from an initial estimation of P4 billion to P10 billion last May.
Regional power shortages, which are projected to continue for the next four years in Botswana, were also a crucial consideration in the decision to postpone the project. What this means is that Tati Nickel could not be sure of receiving the required power to commission the project on time. Falling nickel prices - down to $22 000 a ton at the end of May 2008 from a peak of $54 000 a year earlier - also contributed to the demise of the project.
But parallel to these hard facts, skeptics are suggesting that Norilsk suspended the project because it wants to move this breakthrough technology to Russia. They say to ensure their sustainability, government should acquire equal shareholding in such ambitious projects so as to have greater leverage to negotiate for better deals as well as to imbue them with a sense of confidence.
Banna, Bojalwa And the Club Culture
July 19, 2008
COLUMN
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Nyakwar Bara
On Sunday afternoons, many parents like spending quality time with their children.
While some parents like taking their children to exclusive children’s entertainment arenas, others are taking them to social joints that cater for both adults and children. Here, the children play on the swings and bouncing castles while, not far away, the parents enjoy their drinks (Kgalagadi Breweries’ waters).
As darkness sets in, the children are taken home. Or are they? It has become common - even worrying - to find that, as dusk descends and even winter starts to gather, the children gradually walk away from the swings and bouncing castles to join their parents at the drinking area, as they wait for them to finish their drinks, before going home.
On a recent Sunday at one entertainment spot in Gaborone’s G-West area, the youngsters, tired of playing all day and with darkness fast approaching, make their exit from the playground to join their parents, who are imbibing on Kgalagadi Breweries’ waters. At 7pm, there is still a large number of patrons at the joint. These are enjoying some entertainment from a Franco dance troupe up on the TV screen. As Franco’s troupe disappeared behind the curtains, some tipsy President of the occasion invites the children to join him in "shaking a hip".
In no time, about eight children are on the floor, moving their little bodies to the rhythm of the loud music. The children, girls and boys, range in age from about four to 10 years. A few minutes later, the President of the occasion launches a freestyle dance competition for the children. In this contest, the children try to outdo each other in their dance moves, urged on by the cheering crowd, some of whom are their parents - and some of whom are already drunk and not so polite in their choice of words.
Their aim of the competition is to eliminate the poor dancers so that, in the end, only winners remain on the dance floor. For a better view, other children in the audience, who are too short, stand on the tables and chairs to catch the action.
Competition on the dance floor is stiff. As the dancing continues, the president introduces a new angle of elimination. The remaining three must sing a song of their own choice and dance to its rhythm. The first girl to take the microphone is about eight. Confidently, she begins singing a tune by Matsieng, one of the highly respected music groups. The girl appears to have mastered the lyrics. What is most shocking is her dance routine. The crowd cheers. Some onlookers are evidently uncomfortable.
When the young one is done, the president orders the crowd to give a round of applause to the girl, whose "dance style even puts ‘Matsieng’ to shame". ‘Matsieng’ is a Batswana band, which is well known for its traditional - dance - and - bust - gyrations. The little girl on stage, clad in close - fitting hipsters, a large belt and a ‘tank top’, performs with such ease and expertise that, indeed, ‘Matsieng’ might feel humbled watching her in action. The little girl wins the contest, as judged by patrons, by way of their loud cheers, whistles and claps.
I eavesdrop on a conversation between four female patrons close by. One observes that the little girl will ‘most likely’ have had sex by 10, and would be lucky if she completes high school. Meanwhile, the first runner up, also a girl of about the same age, bursts into tears. She is unhappy about not having taken the crown. Moments later, she is comforted by a man, possibly her father. By the time the children leave the dance floor, it is about 20 hours 30 minutes.
I cast my eyes around the social joint and note that there is still a handful of children within the premises. Some are eating their chips, others sipping on cold drinks, while many others are dozing off in their chairs or snoring on the tables. Curiously undisturbed, their parents or guardians are imbibing on their Kgalagadi breweries’ waters.
By the time I leave the joint at 2100 hours, there are still children at the place. On my way out, I ask one of the waitresses if children are ever chased away past a certain hour.
"We cannot chase the children because they come here with their parents," she says. "The parents drink until whatever time they feel they are satisfied and, if they have their children, no one ever asks them to leave. It is business for us."
When I ask this waitress if she should bring her children to such place, her response is quick: "I can never bring my child to a place where beer is sold," she replies. "Too many bad things go on here and, besides; I would never want my children to see me being hugged by drunkards."
Exposing children to bar culture appears to be a trend that is fast gaining ground in urban areas. As it gets late within the entertainment joints, the music gets louder as the patrons, getting intoxicated by the hour, become noisy and animated, and expectedly, the drunken men are seen ogling women.
Underage patrons are also exposed to images of scantily clad women who sometimes make flirtatious dance moves and kiss publicly. And who drives the car when it is time to go home? Parents who have been drinking all the afternoon, of course!
Nkate Blames Students for MCE Closure
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Lekopanye Mooketsi
The Minister of Education and Skills Development, Jacob Nkate says Molepolole College of Education (MCE) students are to blame for closure of their college this week.
The ministry ordered the closure of the college on Monday after a week’s student class boycott. The students embarked on the boycott in protest over water and power shortages, among other grievances.
But the minister said yesterday that he would not just watch when the situation was getting out of control. "My friend democracy has its own limits," he declared. Nkate said it was shocking that the students had continued with the class boycott even after their representatives held a meeting with him last week. He said during the meeting it was agreed that a task force of senior ministry officials, college management and students’ representatives, should be formed to look into the issues that students were complaining about.
The task force, which was supposed to report to him on Tuesday, was also expected to map the way forward. Nkate said during the meeting, it was agreed that students would resume classes. He said the SRC apologised and was unanimous that the approach they had adopted was wrong before making an undertaking to convince their members to return to classes.
He felt the meeting was productive but had a rude awakening when he learnt that students were continuing with the boycott. He said when he heard that the students were still boycotting classes, he suspended the work of the task force.
Nkate said on Friday he warned the SRC about reneging on the agreement they had made. "I told them that if by Monday, you don’t go back to classes, I will close the institution," he said. Nkate said students would continue to inhabit the hostels despite claims that the facilities were inhabitable. He said the students "can not continue to sleep and eat at government expense when they are refusing to attend classes".
He denied that the facilities at MCE are dilapidated because the college underwent full renovation last year. As for the water crisis, he said, the whole village is facing a shortage. But he blamed the students for causing the power blackouts. He said the students over loaded the electrical system by connecting cookers, kettles, fridges and other electrical appliances. He added that if you take 800 people, all using electrical appliances, the power supply would be over loaded. He said there is a problem of vandalism and indiscipline at the college.
"Some of those students are vandals, they break things up. They wanted hostels to be closed so that they could be paid off campus allowance," said Nkate. He said even at the University of Botswana (UB) at some stage, the hostels were not fully occupied because students preferred to stay off campus so they could be paid off campus allowances. He said when students have genuine problems they are always willing to attend to them.
He noted that he did not expect students to bath with cold water and this was one of the issues that they wanted to address."If you have a problem with members of your family, it doesn’t help to sit outside the house. You have to open dialogue. The students misbehaved. I didn’t close the school, they forced my hand to close the school," he said. "You should ask them why they boycotted classes when we were still talking," he said.
Nkate said he does not know when MCE would be re-opened as he was still consulting over the matter. But he said they would reopen the college only when the students are willing to play ball. Nkate said the strategy of the task force was the same one he used to resolve crisis at the Lobatse and Tlokweng Teachers’ Training Colleges and the Gaborone Technical College (GTC).
He said GTC was only closed because the SRC representatives refused to meet with him at his office. They insisted that he should go and address them at the college. "But I was not going to do that," said Nkate. He said his office is maintaining an open door policy and student representatives are always welcome to meet him. He added that even the University of Botswana (UB) students met him over their grievances about four weeks ago.
However, Nkate vowed that he would never be held to ransom by students. "Listening to them doesn’t mean that I must lie on the floor so that they walk over me," he said. Nkate said the conditions of the tertiary institutions are fine. "If you have a broken window you fix it. You don’t have to start throwing stones at other people."
MCE Student Representative Council (RRC) secretary general Ompatile Emmanuel said they briefed students about their meeting with the minister and about the formation of the task force. However, he said, the students did not want to resume classes because in the past the issues that they had raised were never addressed despite assurances from the authorities.
He said they would only resume classes if there was evidence that something was being done.
Apple + Orange = 3G IPhone
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Tshireletso Motlogelwa
Orange is set to bring the new 3G iPhone to Botswana, according to information from the manufacturer, Apple.
This follows the formalisation of agreements between the manufacturer of the much-hyped device Apple and the global mother company Orange.
Although he was non-committal on pricing, Orange Botswana’s Public Relations Manager, Karabo Tlhabiwe, said the latest status symbol cellphone would retail from US$199 upwards, excluding freight costs. "Maybe a little more for freight costs to Africa," Karabo warned gingerly.
The mother company recently announced an agreement with Apple under which Orange will take the device across a number of markets, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"The iPhone takes advantage of our widespread 3G networks and together we are making the mobile experience for our customers even better," Olaf Swantee, head of Orange’s Global Mobile Operations, said earlier this month.
The 3G iPhone is a more refined, but more affordable version of the original iPhone, which has been a run-away success around the world. The recent launch of the 3G version caused stampedes and all-night vigils around the world.
The iPhone combines three devices into one, namely a mobile phone, a wide screen iPod and an Internet device. After launching in America, it became a fast seller in Europe and Australia and is now expected to reach parts of the Middle East and Africa in the next few months.
CIC Energy Makes a Loss
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
CIC Energy (TSX: ELC, BSE: CIC Energy) reported a loss for the three month period ended May 31, 2008 of US$2,6 million (P16.7m) or $0.05 per share (basic and diluted), and a loss for the six month period of $4,089,000 (P26.3m) or $0.08 per share (basic and diluted).
The loss for the three and six month periods are attributable to non-capitalised exploration expenditures, administration and personnel costs, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. Capitalized exploration costs amount to $105 million (P674.1 million), with exploration costs for the six-month period totaling $18 million (P115.6 million).
The first phase of the Mmamabula energy complex, was to have involved the construction of a 2, 100 to 2, 400-MW power station and a ten-million ton a year associated mine.
A second phase envisaged another power station and mine of the same size. However, after a number of delays, CIC Energy announced last month that it had been unable to conclude a contract with the preferred engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor before a deadline for securing manufacturing slots for big long-lead-time equipment passed. The company is now looking at other configurations for the project, which will likely mean building a smaller plant to begin with, and then adding more capacity at a later stage. CIC said in May that it was approaching the offtakers for the project South African power utility Eskom and the Botswana Power Corporation with proposed changes to the risk allocations for the project, which it would have needed to satisfy prospective lenders.
No agreements were reached before the window passed to secure the manufacturing slots for big equipment like the boiler and turbines, and so the company will not be able to go ahead as planned with the project.
CIC Energy president Greg Kinross said last month that the company would continue to discuss the changes with power-strapped Eskom and the BPC, both of which had included Mmamabula in their plans to meet surging energy demand in the region.
The company is also looking at a number of other plans to exploit the huge 2,3-billion ton coal resource at Mmamabula, including a new trans-border coal corridor from Botswana to the west coast of Africa, and a possible coal-to-hydrocarbons plant at Mmamabula.
The Trailer Man
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Dan Mosekaphofu
Francistown
The deafening sounds of awelding machine and sparks flying all over pollute the environment at this place. Five men in helmets and convincingly dirtied overalls that have been permanently discoloured are the other thing that defines the landscape here.
A few metres from them are their finished products in the form of about five trailers of various sizes.
This is the home-cum-manufacturing workshop for 64 -year- old Thomas Chikore who is popularly known as ‘Sesennye’. This man is a former Public transport service magnate who used to run a transport company known as Sesennye Bus Service hence the nickname ‘Sesennye’.
After disappearing from the business scene for sometime the man has reincarnated himself as a leading trailer manufacturer. For this father of 15, running a business is what he enjoys most.
"Running a business is what I have always enjoyed in life. It is what defines joy and happiness in my world. After some challenges in the public transport business I decided to venture in to this kind of business," he discloses. For Chikore, " It is the ability of the individual to diagnose needs for a specific market segment that gives them the edge to succeed in whatever business adventure they embark upon."
Chikore reveals that the business started gaining momentum in 2005. "I started with small trailers and continued with my market research. When I realised that there was a potential for growth, in terms of the market share, I then decided to do trailers of various sizes," he says proudly about the beginning of what appears to be a lucrative venture. He says that his main customers include both the small stock farmers and cattle farmers. " Farmers are my main customers. They come here and place orders depending on their specific needs,’ he declares boastfully.
The future of this business seems to be bright as Chikore discloses that his market share has now expanded beyond the borders. " I have managed to penetrate the market of neighbouring countries especially South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. People from these places do come and buy my products," he says. As for the raw materials Chikore reveals that all the materials he needs for the production of these trailers are easy to get as they are available locally. " I simply place an order from the local shops and they deliver the material," he says.
He reveals that the prices for the trailers differ according to the size. " Prizes range from P13, 500 for medium sized to P15, 500 for big trailers. As for the smaller ones I am open to discussion depending on the customer’s needs," he discloses.
Like any other venture, Chikore’s business has some challenges that characterises its existence and general operations. He identifies the lack of a commercial plot and/or premises as one of the challenges that continues to act as a major hindrance to the growth of his business. " The fact that I don’t have a workshop to operate in is my main problem. It is preventing me from giving all that I can to this world and most importantly to my country," he laments.
Chikore says the failure to secure a commercial plot has frustrated his attempts to get financial help from government schemes and programmes. " CEDA officials once visited my place after I applied for financial assistance. They however insisted that I should secure a plot before they could assist me in anyway," he explains.
He decries that the lack of a commercial plot has stalled his plans and programmes, particularly his apprenticeship programme. " I intend to impart this knowledge and skill to some of our youth to help alleviate the problem of poverty and unemployment. Unfortunately for now I can only engage four apprentices," he says.
Despite the difficult terrain that his business seems to transverse at the moment Chikore is still cherishing a dream. " My dream is to have a large company that will have branches throughout the country. I also want to export these trailers throughout all over the world and contribute to the growth of the manufacturing industry in this country," he says as his parting short.
‘Debswana 461′ Future Bleak
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Bame Piet
The future of the 461 ex-employees of Debswana, who were fired in 2004 gets bleaker every day, as the resolution to their case continually shifts into the distant future.
It has emerged that the case should have been heard at the Court of Appeal this month but the lawyers for the two parties failed to reach an agreement on security of costs until the 2nd of this month.
The deadline for enrolment of cases at the appeals court was June 20th. This means the case will only be heard during the January 2009 session of the Court of Appeal. The October session has since been set aside.
However, there are accusations flying between BMWU’s Lerumo Mogobe attorneys, representing the 461 through Botswana Mine Workers Union and the Acting Registrar and Master of the Industrial Court, Kwena Rammekwa.
The attorneys accuse Rammekwa of deliberately delaying the case by not forwarding records to the Court of Appeal. In a letter written to BMWU on July 10th, their attorneys allege that Rammekwa still had not transcribed the record.
"We can confirm to you as a matter of fact that Registrar Rammekwa, since 05 June 2008, is yet to transcribe and transmit the record to the Court of Appeal. Under this circumstance it would appear that this matter is likely to be heard in January 2009 Court of Appeal session. We indeed are deeply troubled by this," the letter reads.
But on the other hand, Rammekwa accused the BMWU attorneys of not telling their clients the truth. He said the attorneys for both parties could not reach an agreement on the security of costs at a meeting held in his office on June 5th. The meeting was adjourned to the following day on the grounds that they come after having reached an agreement.
"They never showed up. Unless security for costs is paid, we cannot prepare the record of the case to the appeals court. That’s the procedure," he stated. He said that the BMWU attorneys have just made an undertaking that they will pay for costs, which was unacceptable to the court. "Security for costs is either paid in cash or you post a bond, but neither was done," he added.
He revealed that on the 2nd of this month his office received the bond from BMWU attorneys but then it was too late for the case to be heard at the Court of Appeal July session. He further stated that he has long transcribed the record of the case, despite BMWU attorneys having not paid the security for costs. He denied accusations by BMWU attorneys that he was deliberately delaying the case.
"I don’t blame BMWU for being angry. It is their attorneys who are delaying their case and causing this confusion," he stated.
He said that even the registrar of the Court of Appeal was shocked to hear from him that BMWU attorneys said that he promised them that their case could be squeezed into the July session.
Reached for comment, the registrar at the Court of Appeal confirmed that they still haven’t received the record of the case. He said that BMWU attorneys phoned him in connection with the case but he explained to them that the roll for the Court of Appeal was already complete and that the cases were on. He said he further explained to the attorneys that their case could only be heard under exceptional circumstances if they prove its urgency, and show a certificate that they have paid security for costs or that they have posted a bond.
"They never came back to me. As we speak I don’t have the record of the case in my office and I don’t know the latest developments," he said.
Motlhabi said that the case may only be put on the roll once they Court of Appeal has its record.
New Boss At Morupule
July 19, 2008
18 July 2008
Posted to the web 18 July 2008
Albert Milton has been appointed the General Manager of Morupule Colliery Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Debswana Diamond Company, with effect from 1st of August 2008.
Milton is currently the Assistant General Manager of Jwaneng Mine, having held the position since 2006.
Milton, a Mining Engineer by profession, was educated at Cambrian College in Canada and Camborne School of mines in England.
He has worked for Debswana since 1985 and held several managerial positions, including Mining Services Manager at Orapa and Letlhakane Mines, Mining Projects Manager at Venetia, South Africa, Mine Manager at Orapa and Letlhakane Mines and Assistant General Manager at Jwaneng Mine.
He is joining Morupule at a crucial period, given the expansion phase of the mine to meet the energy challenges facing the country.
His 23 years experience in the diamond industry will be expected to ’shape the future’ of the mine and add valuable input to prevail over the current challenges. Milton who hails from Jackalas No2 is married to Albertinah and they have been blessed with three children.