The Diamond Trust, a non-profit making entity through which Debswana and De Beers fund large community based projects was honoured with the African World Heritage Fund award (AWHF) on the 6th of May. This accolade was presented to Debswana during a business breakfast at the Development Bank of Southern Africa premises in Midrand, South Africa.
The award is given to companies that have contributed significantly to the protection of natural and cultural heritage on the African continent. According to the Director of African World Heritage Fund, Webber Ndoro, the event was also aimed at raising support and promoting the preservation and management of Africa's cultural and natural heritage.
The Diamond Trust is recognised for its dedication and exemplary contribution to the conservation and management of the Tsodilo World Heritage site. The rock paintings at Tsodilo Hills have high-value tourism and they are significantly contributing to the economy of the country.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Boyce Sebetela, who received the award on behalf of the Trust said; "we are proud to have turned a passive resource and tourism attractions into robust economic activities managed by the people of Tsodilo." He paid tribute to both De Beers and Debswana for the vision they had in the development of the Tsodilo Hills tourism offering.
Among those who graced the event was the patron of the Africa World Heritage Fund Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, Dr. Mustapha Sadiki Kaloko, African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs who represented the Chairperson of the African Union, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and several South African government officials and captains of industry.
In 2010, Debswana and De Beers through the Diamond Trust, donated P10 million for the development of Tsodilo Hills Eco-tourism project to cover a period of five years.