The 2011 Miss Botswana finalists will on Wednesday June 8th, 2011 visit the world’s richest diamond mine by value, Jwaneng Mine. The visit is part of a partnership between Debswana and Leapfrog and 63 Entertainment, the Miss Botswana Organisers and aims to create awareness among the 2011 finalists about diamonds in Botswana and the pivotal role they play in the development of this country.
The programme of the visit to Jwaneng for the 10 beauty hopefuls will include the viewing of a video which gives an overview of Jwaneng Mine and tours of the pit as well as the multi-billion Pula Cut 8 Project, Debswana’s single biggest investment project. The Cut 8 project is expected to extend the Jwaneng Mine lifespan by seven (7) years to 2025. The finalists will also be shown samples of diamonds from Jwaneng Mine.
Debswana has found it important to host the beauty pageants with a view to showcase to them, one of Botswana’s most valuable assets, Jwaneng Mine. Diamonds by their very nature are a beautiful natural resource, this fully complements the Miss Botswana concept, which celebrates the country’s beautiful women, said the company spokesperson, Esther Kanaimba- Senai.
According to one of the Miss Botswana organisers, Thapelo Pabalinga of Leapfrog, they found it important to include the Jwaneng Mine visit on this year’s Miss Botswana schedule ahead of the main event on July 1st to ensure the finalists are enlightened on Botswana diamonds, in view of the contribution that they (the diamonds) continue to make to Botswana’s socio-economic development. He said this will put them in a better position to share with the diamonds for development story with the rest of the world.
Pabalinga and his co-organiser, Bissau Gaobakwe of 63 Entertainment further commended Debswana for coming on board as one of the sponsors of this year’s event.