Botswana: Debswana’s OLDM Mines Transform Education in Rakops Village with Generous Classroom Donation

Orapa, Letlhakane, and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) recently donated eight prefabricated classrooms to Rakops Junior Secondary School in Rakops village as part of their Corporate Social Investment initiative.
This generous contribution is a testament to Debswana's commitment to community development and aligns with the company’s Building Forever strategy, which focuses on enhancing education, health, and livelihoods in the communities surrounding the mines.

During the handover ceremony, Debswana Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Motsomi, emphasized that the donation is part of Debswana’s broader efforts to support sustainable development goals, particularly those related to quality education (SDG 4) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11). He highlighted that the initiative aims to create a conducive learning environment for students, thereby improving their educational outcomes and future prospects.

OLDM General Manager, Mr. Mogakolodi Maoketsa, underscored the collaborative nature of the project, which involved Debswana, the OLDM Project Management Office (PMO), and various business partners. Valued at over P1.3 million, the project addresses the severe shortage of classrooms and furniture at Rakops Junior Secondary School, where some classes were previously held under trees due to inadequate facilities. The new classrooms will accommodate 256 students, significantly reducing the need for double shifting and increasing the time students spend in school.

The financial contributions towards the project were substantial. OLDM contributed P1,287,732.00 for the refurbishment, relocation, and erection of the classrooms. Additionally, OLDM PMO employees donated P68,000.00 for the procurement of essential furniture, including whiteboards, pinboards, and 80 student tables. OLDM business partners also played a crucial role: RMB Solutions contributed P27,008.88 for 45 student tables, Pinagare Engineers provided P10,605.88 for whiteboards and pinboards, TKM Engineering handled the transportation of tables from Gaborone to Rakops, and Lereka Engineering contributed P38,742.40 towards paving.

Member of Parliament for Boteti West, Hon. Sam Digwa, praised Debswana for their generosity and unwavering commitment to the community. He noted that the lack of adequate classrooms had been a significant barrier to quality education, as students were easily distracted when taught outdoors.

Debswana's Building Forever strategy is a holistic approach to creating a positive and sustainable impact that extends beyond the mining industry. By investing in education infrastructure, Debswana is helping to build a brighter future for the communities it serves, ensuring that the benefits of natural diamond mining contribute to lasting opportunities and improved livelihoods