Debswana Diamond Company (“Debswana”), the Botswana-based diamond mining joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group, today announced the appointment of Andrew Maatla Motsomi as Managing Director on a five-year contract, with effect from 1 June 2022.
Mr Motsomi will join Debswana from the Bank of Botswana, where he held several key strategic and leadership positions, most recently as Deputy Governor of the Bank. As Deputy Governor, he represented Botswana regionally and internationally in various forums, including the country’s membership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also worked on attachment at the IMF in Washington DC as a Special Appointee, as well as serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis.
Mr Motsomi will succeed Lynette Armstrong, who had been acting in the role since August 2019, following the passing of the previous Debswana Managing Director, Albert Milton, and had continued to lead the business during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms Armstrong will work closely with Mr Motsomi in the immediate future to support a seamless transition of leadership.
Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group and Chairman of the Debswana Board, said: “Following a rigorous selection process, we are delighted to announce Andrew Motsomi as Debswana’s new Managing Director. While we were fortunate to have had several very strong candidates for this important role, the Debswana Board saw Mr Motsomi as the ideal person to take the business forward. His leadership and strategic insight, honed over a long and distinguished career with the Bank of Botswana, will be fundamentally important in helping Debswana continue to deliver outstanding value, both for the people of Botswana and for De Beers Group.
“I would also like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board and Shareholders, to thank Lynnette Armstrong, who has led Debswana in an acting capacity with distinction through a highly challenging period. Under Ms Armstrong’s leadership, Debswana overcame the unprecedented difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and thanks to her commitment and passion the company remains well on track to deliver on its ambitious business and sustainability targets.”
Mr Motsomi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting from the University of Botswana, a post-graduate Diploma in Economic Development and Planning from the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the Victoria University of Manchester.
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A high resolution image of Andrew Motsomi is available here.
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About Debswana
Debswana Diamond Company was established in 1969, and it is owned in equal shares by the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers Group. It is one of the world’s leading diamond producers by value and volume. Debswana operates four diamond mines in Orapa, Letlhakane, Damtshaa and Jwaneng. The company is a major contributor to the national economy of Botswana – contributing significantly to the gross domestic product, foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Debswana is one of the largest private sector employers, with over 5500 employees and over 6000 contractors. Debswana is also the largest contributor to the De Beers Group rough diamond production. The company is committed to mining safely, optimally and responsibly, as well as making a meaningful contribution to the development of communities around its mines and the nation at large, thus making life brilliant. For further information visit www.debswana.com.
About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.