"This was the day the Economic Independence of Botswana was born"

Just six months into independence, in March 1967, the first diamondferous kimberlite was discovered in Orapa. Manfred Marx, one of the De Beers geologists who was part of the exploration team that discovered Orapa 51 years ago, was last week back in the mining town for the official opening of the Adrian Gale Diamond Museum and he reminisces about the discovery that saved Botswana.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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