DEBSWANA RE-LAUNCHES ITS CSI

Photo: Debswana donated P150 000 to Botswana Softball ladies national team recently to participate in the World Championships in Beijing, China.

On September 7, 2006, diamond giant, Debswana re-launched their Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Policy at Cresta Lodge with more commitment this time, to create a legacy of prosperity, sustainability and empowerment for the communities in the country.

The new policy is replacing the old Donations Policy which only eyed short to medium term donations and annual grants with minimal emphasis on long term sustainability.
“It is in line with the Corporate’s desire not only to be a sustainable, profitable company, but also direct contributor to the development and well-being of the communities in which it operates.
In the long term, we are focusing towards mines closure which entails developing a trust that is appropriate for mine closure activities.
The opportunities offered by the Policy are too great. Our society’s challenges are too many to waste at this moment”, Public and Corporate Manager Jacob Sesenyi said at the event. 
The policy, also unveiled to Non-governmental organizations and local press, is expected to balloon from the current budget of P6, 7 million to an undisclosed figure with twin approach of supporting the national Vision 2016 and programme within communities in which they operate.
It has been influenced in the short to medium term by the National Vision and the United Nations Millennium Development goals, as well as supporting governance structures.
Sesenyi said the new policy would intergrate corporate Social Investment into business and align it with business strategy, as well as allocating a high proportion of its commitment to organizations, groups and programmes that are educational in character.
With a budget expected to be approved by the board, which is a 50/50 joint venture between De Beers and the Government of Botswana, this November, issues related to education, entrepreneurship--small and medium development environment, Health and welfare, including hospitals and HIV/AIDS, strategic sustainable sports and Non-governmental sustainable programmes, will be covered under this new policy.
“We are confident that these projects will not only contribute enormously to the development of the lives of ordinary Batswana, but will also promote Debswana’s brand and reputation”, he said.
The audience heard that Debswana will consider favorably community projects that not only assist the underprivileged and the deprived, but those that result in job creation, on the job training, health and education in general.
The Diamond giant said its legacy which entails strong corporate governance component adding that those who spend the money must be held responsible and accountable.
“If this is not achieved, without hesitation, and without loss of dignity to those concerned, the company will reclaim the money donated and make a different choice. The NGO’s or communities receive Debswana funds to teach under-privileged children and expect them to learn”, Sesenyi said.
The CSI policy and programmes have been approved by the Debswana Board of Directors and will be continuously reviewed by the Directors. A corporate Social Investment (CSI) committee has been appointed by the Board to eremite and approve projects as well as recommend large projects to the Board for approval. This committee has shareholder and management representatives.

In addition the CSI committee will invite community representatives when necessary to ensure that projects take into account the views of and have buy in from the communities it seeks to assist and that their views and commitment are reflected in the decision.

With effect from 2007, the ratio investment will be 15% of CSI funding at each Mine while the 70% of funding will support the Group national flagship activities and will be managed from Debswana Head Office Gaborone.

In 2006, Debswana disbursed over P3 million of the committed P5 million out of a budget of P6.7million to various country projects and organizations. These included P800 000.00 towards various centres for the disabled, P800 000.00 towards various sports organisations, P150 000.00 towards environment organisations, P500 000.00 towards education and many other community projects.
Debswana accounts for over 55 percent of government budget and 80 percent of exports, and operates four diamond mines of Jwaneng, Damtshaa, Orapa and Letlhakane with a total of 31 million carats in the past year.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Managing director Blackie Marole who gave a welcomed address and his subordinates, as well as various NGO representatives and government officials. …by Pascal Raditsebe/Freelance Journalist…