04 Sep 2019

The Jwaneng mayor, Obed Monkge has commended the Botswana Diamond Dream Art Group for developing Botswana diamonds in an artistic manner.

Monkge said this at the Botswana Diamond Artworks Exhibition, which was held in Kanye recently.

The group, which comprises of arts teachers and arts former students, has come up with an initiative of depicting the story of Botswana and its diamonds in an artistic manner.

Monkge, who applauded the team for their work, urged them to do more.

“We are pleased that after some years of diamond mining in Botswana, many Batswana are now fostering the ideas of developing Botswana as a modern country, thereby venturing into diamonds driven plans,” he said.

He noted that the Botswana Diamonds Dream strategic pillars were relevant, as they offered Botswana to the international scene with their projects.

He therefore said it was crucial for the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, DTCB, Botswana Diamond Hub and other relevant stakeholders to set a strong campaign to promote and boost Botswana Diamonds Dream.

Monkge added that in doing so, they would help to convince the diamonds industry that Botswana could be a potential diamond country among other bidding countries such as Russia and Belgium.

“It is of paramount importance to promote and support Botswana’s key idea of becoming a world diamond country by producing a Botswana Dream promotions and facilitation packages such as what we are here for today,” he said.

He further said it was of great value to realise the development of a strong and sustainable diamond dream of international standing to completely transform Botswana into a World Diamond Country by the year 2046.

When delivering the objectives of the event, Botswana Diamond Dream, Arts Exhibition Coordinator, also an art teacher at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School, Gape Modiegi indicated that they started the artworks as a dream with the aim of developing some works of art that would carry the story of Botswana and also reflect the diamonds in Botswana.

“With simple artworks we had, the idea came to us looking at how beautiful it would be, to have some artworks that showcase the use of Botswana diamonds. That is when we started to be ambitious, ending up producing these worthy and valuable artworks,” he said.

Modiegi said the idea developed further when working on materials and concepts, upon which they ended up revealing the usage diamonds in terms of design from artworks, jewellery and architectural models, all carrying Botswana stories and diamonds.

He noted that they were currently displaying artworks that showcase diamond use in Botswana from elegant to luxurious jewellery.

“This is part of how to promote and develop a diamond business locally and internationally. As a Botswana team, we intend to support Botswana’s campaign to become world diamond country for its new developments and infrastructure in future,” he said.

He indicated that, for so many years Botswana has never shown any specific diamond development icons or landmarks that reveal the presence and essence of diamond developments of the current international standards.

Modiegi added that the introduction of their dream propels the use of innovation to transform Botswana skyline to a modern diamond developing country with an extraordinary diamond city.

“As you know, Botswana is amongst strong first class countries that are bidding to convert as diamond countries, we intend to stand firm to set up exhibitions of artworks that reflect Botswana diamonds as a way of promoting and boosting a Botswana Dream Campaign, thus assisting Botswana to achieve the key idea of becoming a World Class Diamond Country,” he said. Further, he noted that, they plan to organise an exhibition that will be hosted in a themed pavilion with a diamond designed concept.

He said they would engage De Beers Botswana, Debswana, BITC, Youth, MYSC, Department of Minerals, as well as some sight holders such as Limkokwing University to assist with the production of promotion items. ENDS