4th March, 2011. The Chairman of the Debswana Board, Nicky Oppenheimer has described the company’s former Managing Director, Blackie Marole as a man of integrity, honesty and exceptional skill. Oppenheimer was speaking at the latter’s farewell dinner held in Gaborone on March 3rd, 2011.
“Since his appointment at the helm of Debswana, Blackie Marole carried his duties diligently and therefore contributed positively to the Company’s growth, Botswana’s development and the growth of the international diamond industry as a whole” he said
 
Oppenheimer attributed the successful implementation of the complicated Jwaneng Mine Cut 8 project to Marole’s hardwork and zeal saying that it is commendable that as a result, the multi-billion Pula expansion project of the world’s largest diamond mine by value will continue to uplift the lives of Batswana. According to Oppenheimer, during his tenure, Marole also identified major cost saving opportunities at Debswana, resulting in a project dubbed Cost and Operational Efficiencies, whose main aim is to ensure optimum productivity at less costs. He revealed that because of this project, Debswana will make vast savings annually.
 
For his part, Marole was thankful to Debswana employees, the Botswana Mine Workers Union and the company’s Board, among others, for the support they gave him during his tenure at Debswana, which he said played a pivotal role in ensuring he optimally delivered on his mandate. He highlighted the robust strategies that Debswana put in place to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis which saw many companies collapse. “It is a source of gratification for me that in that very difficult year (2010) not only did Debswana survive but it also continued to fund its sustainability projects and make significant dividend payouts to its shareholders.  For this I salute the management and general workforce of Debswana” he said.
 
Marole further congratulated the new Debswana Managing Director, Jim Gowans for his appointment and wished him success in taking the company to the next level.
 
The event was graced by among others, the former President of the Republic of Botswana Mr Festus Mogae, the Acting Vice President and Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Hon Ponatshego Kedikilwe, Cabinet Minister and heads of the diplomatic corp.
 
Marole retired from Debswana on 31st December, 2010.