mmegi

Acid test for 54-year old marriage

Long term partners: Masisi and former De Beers CEO, Cleaver, have described the mining partnership as a ‘marriage’ PIC: DIAMOND DO GOOD
Long term partners: Masisi and former De Beers CEO, Cleaver, have described the mining partnership as a ‘marriage’ PIC: DIAMOND DO GOOD

Signs of stress are emerging in the 54-year old partnership between government and De Beers, over how to share the diamond mining spoils going forward. After six years of talks, the diamond industry’s most secret and valuable agreement faces a few critical months, notes Staff Writer, MBONGENI MGUNI

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s remarks in his home village of Moshupa on Sunday have set the diamond world buzzing, as they hinted for the first time that the 54-year “marriage” between government and De Beers may not be as rosy as has been assumed.

“Support me and the minister and the Cabinet in that these diamonds, the revenues coming back to the country must be better not meagre like they are,” he said at a ruling party political rally.

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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