28 Jul 2024

 Lucara Botswana mine has donated five classrooms for lower primary school level valued at P2.4 million to Makgaba.

Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony in Makgaba on July 25, Lucara Botswana general manager, Mr Johane Mchive said the school would comprise five classrooms being a reception class and standard one to four classes. 

The project scheduled for completion in March 2025, he said was a partnership between Lucara Botswana and Debswana, which would fund construction of teachers’ houses.

The nearest primary school in Mokubilo was 12 kilometres away from Makgaba and the construction of the school will spare students the distance and time that they will have to endure in search of educational services elsewhere.

“The move would also ensure equitable distribution of resources and inclusivity in education. Imagine a situation where children could meet elephants on their way home, should we wait for that to happen, this is what explains the value of this project,’’ he said.

Mr Mchive said Lucara would never define and be proud of their success if the community within their area of operation were not successful.

He said through collaboration and partnerships, the mine’s investments in sustainable initiatives were aimed at strengthening local communities. 

He said the need to meet communities at their point of need was long overdue hence the move to come up with such a project deserved an applause.

Lucara president, Mr William Lamb said the project signified the company’s commitment to empower communities and was also a testament to the transformational power of education.

Mr William stated that at Lucara they believed that their responsibility extended far beyond the boundaries of mining operations.

“We monitor our social impacts, and we strive to be active participants in the development of sustainable and inclusive communities in our area of operation, leaving a positive and lasting legacy beyond the lifespan of our mine,” he said.

Mr Lamb said the initiatives were not just corporate allegations but were rooted on the company’s core values and the vision of a sustainable future.

Boteti East Member of Parliament, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said the project was history in the making and would make a huge impact on the future of the children of Makgaba.

Mr Lelatisitswe said the school would go along way in boltering academic results and adding economic value to the country’s economy.

Boteti District’s Council Secretary, Mr Mpaphi Kgomotso commended Lucara saying most of the projects they sponsored were centred on empowerment in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Kgomotso said the project was a wakeup call for other stakeholders to emulate what Lucara had done. Ends