A short video on the Incredible Botswana Diamond Story
Fashionscapes: The Diamonds of Botswana
Fashionscapes, the documentary series exploring the fashion supply chain, presents its third instalment. Directed by Andrew Morgan, The Diamonds of Botswana follows Livia Firth as she learns first-hand about the impact of diamond mining in a country that has unearthed some of the worlds most precious stones.
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“For our people every diamond purchase represents food on the table, better living conditions, better healthcare, potable and safe drinking water, and more roads to connect our remote communities”
— Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana (1998 to 2008)
Botswana is one of the world’s leading producers of ethical natural diamonds and the diamond industry plays a significant role in its economy, transforming its fortunes over the last 50 years. Hundreds of thousands of lives in Botswana have been touched by the proceeds from ethical diamonds; revenue has been used for the betterment of the nation. It’s a powerful story and legacy of how diamonds do good.
Educational impact
Every child in Botswana is entitled to 10 years of free schooling and a subsidised system is available beyond that into higher education.
Healthcare is universally available to all its citizens through a public healthcare system which focuses on prevention and readily available access in all areas.
“Botswana is a living example of how investment in primary health care pays off.”
– WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remarked during his visit at Molefhe Clinic.
Higher education and alternative skill sets are being taught and encouraged throughout the country to ensure a positive and bright future in Botswana long after the diamonds are gone. This is part of a legacy we believe in, that business, and diamonds, can really bring about change for good in the world.
Social impact is not just a green wash statement.
Upskilling a nation, building roads, hospitals, and infrastructure. These are real world actions that are changing lives right now. As part of the agreement between De Beers and the Botswana government (Debswana), De Beers will continue to operate the mining facilities as well as relocate all of the sales and operations of its Diamond Trading Company International (DTCI) from London to Gaborone, the capital of Botswana. In 2012, they opened the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) sorting centre in Gaborone. DTCI moved their rough diamond sales events (sights) in 2013, shifting billions of dollars of annual rough sales to Botswana. One of the largest and most technologically advanced diamond facilities in the world, the Gaborone facility is a joint venture with the Botswana government.
Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife conservation is a cornerstone of the mining operations and two game parks have been established and continue to thrive around its two principal mines namely Jwaneng and Orapa. Thanks to Botswana’s diamond industry the Orapa and Jwana Wildlife reserves now cover over 40 000 hectares of preserved lands and are home to a multitude of animals including Red Hartebeest, Impala, Springbok, Steenbok, Duiker, Wildebeest, Gemsbok (Oryx) Kudu, Eland, Giraffe, Zebra, Warthog, Baboon, Cheetah, Ostrich, Leopard, Caracal and numerous smaller animal species.
Continuing this, De Beers has committed to dedicating six acres of land for every acre of land used for mining and are also active in rhino conservation efforts, including breeding and relocating rhinos. Debswana, especially, has worked towards increasing white rhino populations by breeding rhinos in captivity and releasing them back into the wild.