Mogae’s stoic fight for natural diamonds
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 120 Views |
Festus Mogae
Long before lab-grown diamonds disrupted the market and long before younger consumers began questioning the relevance of natural stones, Mogae was already fighting a different battle, one that threatened not merely diamond sales, but Botswana’s entire development story.
To understand why Mogae fought so fiercely for natural diamonds, one must return to the chaos of the 1990s, when diamonds became entangled with some of Africa’s bloodiest wars.
“Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.”-Lord HewartHis decision was the correct one.The move neither proves guilt nor settles the serious allegations that have brought him to the doorstep of the Regional Magistrate’s Court.It does, however, recognise a basic principle of accountable government, that a minister facing criminal charges should not remain in a position that could create even...