Debswana to sweat off non-core assets
Lewanika Timothy | Monday July 20, 2026 06:00
Executives within the diamond giant revealed that the newly launched Ya Masa strategy is meant to usher in investments in new asset classes while also getting rid of those that do not meet the portfolio needs of the company currently.
Speaking during the recent Future of Mining Summit, executives revealed that some identified assets include schools under the company’s care which are not necessarily for profit but are no longer aligned with the future shape of the company.
A company insider confirmed these plans to Businessweek, citing that the company, through its Ya Masa strategy, was identifying high-value assets to invest in whilst also shedding assets that do not align with the current growth strategy.
“We are opening up towns like Orapa into public towns so that we keep assets that match our growth strategy,” he said.
The proposal forms part of the ideas that are currently being explored under the Ya Masa Strategy, which seeks to explore new approaches to the long-term sustainability of mining towns as the company prepares for a future beyond mining operations.
Speaking on the initiative on the sidelines of the Summit, Debswana General Manager for Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, said the strategy creates room for discussions on whether Orapa should transition from a closed mining township into an open public town.
'If you look at the value of housing in Orapa today, compared to what it could be in an open town, there is a huge difference. “At the moment, very few people would consider buying a house in Orapa because the town is closed and the properties have limited commercial value. “Once it becomes an open town, you suddenly create vast opportunities for investment and economic activity,' Maoketsa said.
He added that opening Orapa would also help address what Debswana considers a long-term social liability associated with the eventual closure of the mine.
To support its new investment drive, Debswana is aiming to cut a third of its operational costs between now and 2028, whilst leveraging the untapped commercial opportunities it has, such as infrastructure, and also striking out into new ventures, as part of an ambitious new strategy.
For decades, Debswana’s board has resisted pressure and advice from executives to diversify the group’s focus beyond diamonds. Besides investments in insurance, education, and a pension fund, Debswana has largely remained focused on the precious stones over the years.
The mining giant is looking into opportunities in renewable energy, venture capital, large-scale infrastructure and other blue-chip assets.