ODC is yet to make its mark
Friday, June 30, 2023 | 850 Views |
Centre-piece: The ODC continues to hold the Okavango Blue amidst concerns that the stone may sell for less than it potentially could have
It is important and quite befitting that the shareholders on the government side, i.e. us the populace, get full understanding of its activities, in terms of the management of this resource, towards ensuring that it gives the best returns to the nation.
For 54 years Batswana have had no access to the international diamond markets, including more than ten years after some of us laid our necks on the guillotine for it, and advocated for the reservation of a percentage of diamonds for independent marketing. The result of this intervention was the setting up of ODC.
Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...