Orapa powers Botswana diamond production
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 380 Views |
Old Faithful: Orapa was the country’s first diamond mine and continues to deliver PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
OLDM General Manager, Mogakolodi Maoketsa, said the industry has been challenged by the increasing appeal of synthetic diamonds, higher extraction costs, and slower economic growth in major markets.
“People are buying synthetic diamonds at lower prices, and the global economy is struggling. That is why our sales have dropped,” he said.
That a single private law firm pocketed P6.5 million for just four cases, out of a total P11.1 million paid for 25 matters, reeks of a system that was not merely disorganised but open to abuse.Bayford has taken a welcome first step by telling the Public Accounts Committee the truth. Now he must act decisively to ensure it never happens again and that any money lost to wrongdoing is recovered.The figures are staggering. Whilst ordinary Batswana...