Last week Wednesday, Debswana through its Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) held the Diamond Dreams Academic Awards in Orapa, where excelling learners from Boteti district were honoured with certificates and cash.

The primary objective of the awards is to encourage and celebrate high academic performance amongst government run primary, junior, and senior secondary schools in the Boteti. The awards targeted the class of 2021 for respective school levels (primary, secondary and senior secondary).Additionally, the awards are part of OLDM’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) progamme. The theme for this year’s awards was ‘Driving Academic Excellence

Beyond the pandemic, A shared Responsibility’.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Operations- Central Region at the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoE & SD) Sonny Mooketsi urged companies operating in Botswana to emulate OLDM by coming up with sound CSI projects aimed at improving the country’s education and human capital.

“I urge all stakeholders, business communities to identify the needs of our schools, and provide support where possible.

The government re-set agenda hinges on quality of education and human capital,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude to OLDM for sponsoring the awards and having keen interest in the transformation of education in

Botswana. Mooketsi elucidated that sustainability of Botswana’s development is dependent on the continuous investment in the country’s human capital, educational infrastructure and fostering partnerships in order to provide children with opportunities to nurture their God given talents, as well as ensuring continued dedication and commitment to lifelong learning.

He also signified the importance of awarding learners and schools for academic excellence.

“This powerful mind-set encourages learners to feel better about their efforts.

This in turn promotes feelings of self-fulfilment, which goes handin-hand with happiness. It also promotes healthy competition among learners.”

Mooketsi applauded the teachers, non-teaching staff; parents for the role they continue to play in helping learners attain excellence.

“Let me also implore you to continue challenging yourselves by encouraging the learners to utilise the available opportunities and nurture them to compete globally.”

According to the OLDM General Manager, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, the Diamond Dreams awards started in 2019 with a sponsorship of half a million Pula committed per year.

The award ceremony was, however, not held in 2020 as result of the covid-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic OLDM decided to refocus the CSI funds to aid schools by engaging a private tutoring company to tutor learners as well as providing schools with the necessary equipment.