Bench Marks Foundation, says in a report to be released in Johannesburg today that there is a level of paranoia in Botswana related to the diamond-mining sector and an 'obligated loyalty' to De Beers for what the company has done for the country. "This belies the generally positive and democratic image that exists in the mind of the outside observer." The report says the government of Botswana and the ruling elite, and perhaps a sizeable portion of the population seems to have an obligated loyalty to De Beers for what the company has done for the country. The report tries to qualify this by citing examples such as the unwillingness by mine workers to participate in the research for fear of victimisation, the constant heaping of praise on De Beers and Debswana by politicians including the presidency, and the general ignorance about the diamond industry by the man on the street. Literature from former cabinet minister David Magang's book and deported University of Botswana lecturer, Professor Kenneth Good and diamond market analyst Chaim Evan-Zohar is also used to support the perceived fear or loyalty to De Beers by some Batswana.
The report suggests that De Beers, which gets over two thirds of its revenues from Botswana has benefited significantly from its mines in the country since the late 1960s but until recently, it has been reluctant to allow Batswana to beneficiate their own diamonds.
