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Balisi Bonyongo to lead Botswana’s largest company
De Beers Group of Companies would like to draw your attention to the statement below, issued by Dr Eric Molale, Permanent Secretary to the President of the Government of the Republic of Botswana and Debswana Board Chairman:
NEW DEBSWANA MANAGING DIRECTOR IN JANUARY
The Shareholders of Debswana Diamond Company (Pty) Limited (Debswana) have appointed Mr Balisi Mohumi Bonyongo, currently Chief Operations Officer, to take over as the Company’s Managing Director when Mr James Kitchener Gowans’ tenure ends on 31st December 2013.
Mr Gowans was appointed as Managing Director on 1st January 2011 on a three year contract with a mandate to optimise and position Debswana’s operations for continued profitability and growth. The Board of Debswana acknowledges the significant progress accomplished by Mr Gowans to improve the Company’s operational performance and skills capacity during his tenure. This has placed Debswana in a strong position from which to implement its Long-Term Resource Development Plan, which has been recently finalised and approved by the Board.
Mr Bonyongo has worked for Debswana for 20 years in various professional and leadership capacities, including Commissioning Manager of the Aquarium Project at Jwaneng Mine, Corporate Strategy Manager at Debswana Head Office and Jwaneng Mine General Manager. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree from Leeds University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town.
The Board and Shareholders would like to thank Mr Gowans for his notable contribution to Debswana’s continued success and to also wish Mr Bonyongo well as he takes over as Managing Director with effect from 1st January 2014.
Eric M. Molale
PERMANENT SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF DEBSWANA BOARD
Commenting on the appointment, Philippe Mellier, Debswana Board Deputy Chairman said: “As Board members, it is our responsibility to ensure that we maximise the value of every diamond we produce not only for the company, but importantly for the benefit of the people of Botswana. Balisi will be tasked with ensuring that Debswana’s mines continue to be among the best-managed anywhere in the world.”
Contact:
De Beers UK Media Office
Tel: +44 (0) 207 430 3434
ABOUT THE DEBEERS GROUP OF COMPANIES
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 23,000 people (directly and as contractors) across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers visit www.debeersgroup.com.