De Beers criticized for not benefiting locals in Botswana

Quoted in a report posted by the Chinese news website xinhuanet.com, Gobusamang Keebine, Business Botswana president, said it is high time that Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi coerced De Beers into radically transform the diamond industry for local entrepreneurs and general members of the community to benefit. He said this during the 5th regional consultative conference in Francistown, Botswana's second largest city.

"It is imperative that a greater sense of urgency is given to reforms that will ensure that Botswana entrepreneurs are able to benefit," said Keebine, adding that De Beers must learn from Chinese firms operating in Botswana. According to Keebine, Botswana is now boasting a sizeable number of local entrepreneurs in the construction sector because the Chinese business operators have been over the years transferring skills to locals.

This is in total contrast to what is happening in the diamond sector, as the benefits deriving from the diamond industry have unfortunately not been enjoyed by Batswana (citizens of Botswana) who are running businesses in the sector.

Nicole Senuku, De Beers' corporate affairs specialist, told Xinhua in a telephone interview that the multinational company is doing everything in its power to ensure the goal of the beneficiation drive is fully realized.