21 Jul 2024

Debswana, the leading diamond mining company in Botswana, continues to make a significant impact in the community through its health facilities in Orapa and Jwaneng, assisting approximately 200 000 patients annually. 

This achievement was highlighted during the company’s 55-minute fun run event held in Gaborone on Saturday, part of the celebrations marking Debswana’s remarkable 55-year journey in telling the story of Botswana Diamonds.

Dr Kegomoditswe Maphane, Debswana’s Senior Health Manager, officiated the event and emphasised the importance of the milestone. 

“We spend P260 million annually on hospital services. It is without a doubt that Debswana has directly and indirectly touched many lives; almost everyone in Botswana has a Debswana story, reflecting the company’s significant contributions to the nation, “ Dr Maphane said.

During his address, Dr Maphane stressed the crucial link between health and wealth, stating, ‘the greatest wealth that individuals have is health. You can have all the money and commodities, but without good health, life becomes a misery. I encourage everyone to keep walking, eat well, sleep well, drink well, and stay well.’

Reinforcing the celebratory spirit, Dr Maphane said the diamond story touched lives of many  and made an impact in the nation.”

In a personal reflection on his own diamond story, Dr Maphane shared his roots, revealing that he was born in a Debswana clinic in Orapa and attended Khama House Primary School in the same town. “I grew up in Orapa. I am a product of Debswana,” he stated, adding that the company’s 55^th anniversary also symbolised his life’s journey.

“I remember that when I grew up, my mother was a cleaner, but because of the diamond story and because of what a diamond represents, she had the determination to register at a night school to further her education, eventually retiring as a school head,” said Dr Maphane.

Dr Maphane said the discovery of diamonds had brought with it an abundance of opportunities, therefore, every individual was in a position to tell their diamond story.

He said COVID-19 pandemic was an unpleasant experience for almost everyone, with negative repercussions.

Reflecting on Debswana’s commitment and contribution to the health sector during the COVID-19 era, Dr Maphane said the nation was strained by the pandemic but the support rendered by the diamond mining company to the general public through its health facilities in Orapa and Letlhakane was commendable.

“What we witnessed was sheer determination of people willing to make an impact in the lives and livelihoods of Batswana. We were aggressive in terms vaccinations and critical controls,” he said.

He vividly recollected an incident where during the COVID-19 pandemic receieved a call from a matron at Kanye SDA hospital requesting assistance with oxygen bottle to assist eight patients, and Debswana mobilised provision of such assistance in the fastest time possible thereby saving lives of the patients. Ends