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Botswana has secured access to half a million doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine. The Government of the Republic of Botswana has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Moderna to procure the doses, aided by funding from De Beers Group, Debswana and DTC Botswana (DTCB) following the financial pledge made by the three companies in June 2021 to support the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in Botswana.
De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB’s financial contribution has funded 40 per cent of the cost of the vaccines. Due to the ongoing tightness in global supply for vaccines, the doses will be delivered in phases in accordance with the terms of the agreement between the Government of Botswana and Moderna Switzerland GmbH.
Dr Edwin Dikoloti, Minister of Health and Wellness said: “There continues to be an extremely high level of global demand for Covid-19 vaccines, so securing access to this large tranche of doses is a very important step in our ongoing fight against the pandemic. This will enable us to continue to accelerate our national vaccination programme and we will continue to work tirelessly to secure further vaccine doses at the earliest possible opportunity. We thank our partners in De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB for their ongoing support.”
Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “The Covid-19 Delta variant has increased the challenges being experienced around the globe and we are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners in Botswana both to address urgent needs, and step-up to support the nation’s longer-term recovery. De Beers’ belief in Botswana, its people and their future, remain unshakable. We are pleased to have been able to play a role in supporting Government with its vaccine procurement and rollout plan during this challenging period due to low global availability of doses at a time of great need. Partnership has always been at the heart of De Beers relationship with the people of Botswana, and it is more important now than ever before.”
Alongside funding vaccine procurement, the financial pledge made by De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB in support of Botswana’s vaccine rollout has also been used for in-kind support. This includes the establishment of the Jwaneng Mine Hospital Vaccination centre and the Debswana Corporate Centre (DCC) vaccination point in Gaborone. The designated areas have been set up in line with the established requirements for vaccination centres and with guidance from the District Health Management Team (DHMT). De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB are committed to the fair and equitable distribution of vaccines and support the priority approach as defined by the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP) for Covid-19.
The financial pledge in support of the vaccine rollout programme builds on the support already provided to date in helping Botswana respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning that De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB collectively have now provided more than 100 million Pula of Covid-19 relief support to Botswana since the start of the pandemic. Alongside the 55 million Pula pledge made in June 2021, De Beers Group, Debswana and DTCB made a combined 46.5 million Pula financial and in-kind donation to the Government of Botswana in 2020. This formed the three entities’ early contribution to the country’s Covid-19 emergency response and funded a range of vital equipment, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines, test kits, sanitisers, training of health care workers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), isolation centres and the setup of testing centres in Orapa and Jwaneng and at the Debswana Corporate Centre.
Contact
De Beers Global Sightholder Sales
Kesego Okie
External Communications Manager
Tel: +267 3716641
Email: [email protected]
Debswana Diamond Company
Agatha Sejoe
Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: +267 3614301
Email: [email protected]
Diamond Trading Company Botswana
Kago Mmopi
Corporate Affairs Manager
Tel: +267 3649213
Email: [email protected]
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 mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops its portfolio of brands, including De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as recently launched diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group employees are committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier; where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; and where communities thrive and the environment is protected. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Debswana
Established in 1969, Debswana Diamond Company 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 Diamond Trading Company Botswana
Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC Botswana) is a 50/50 Joint Venture partnership between the Government of the Republic of Botswana and De Beers. It is the world’s largest and most sophisticated rough diamond sorting and valuing operation, with a capacity to sort 45 million carats a year. DTC Botswana sorts and values Debswana Diamond Company’s rough diamond production.
DTC Botswana aims to facilitate, drive and support the creation of a vibrant, sustainable and profitable downstream diamond industry in Botswana through superior sorting and valuing practices. The downstream activities will add additional value to the local diamond industry through cutting & polishing of diamonds and ultimately manufacturing of jewellery which will develop core competencies for adding higher value.