06 Dec 2022

Khoemacau Copper Mine employees gathered in numbers to celebrate the first-ever cultural event aimed to promote unity and diversity in the mine at Tudika camp in Toteng.

The colourful event brought together different nationals working in the mine to reflect, celebrate and recognise each other’s rich diverse cultures, customs, language and religions. 

Employees dressed in their traditional outfits while some wore something that represented their countries.

The mine prides itself on employing diverse nationals from Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Mali, Ghana, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, among others, bringing not only a particular brand of expertise and knowledge to making the mine a successful organisation, but also bringing their cultures, and special attributes to make the mine a diverse and unified workforce.

Speaking during the occasion, the mine executive director, Mr Boikobo Paya said through being unified in their diversity, they saw it fit to celebrate the mixture of cultures and traditions of all people in the mine.

The event, he said, would help employees to thrive in an exponentially diverse world, adding that diversity in and out of the mine would continue to grow as employees would embrace those different from themselves.

He appraised the gathering on a brief history of Botswana, citing that mostly Batswana originated from South Africa and other surrounding countries, adding that the first people to settle in the country were Baswara, who lived nomadic life, followed by other ethnic groups such as Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Bakgatla, Batawana, Baherero, Bayeyi, among others.

The majority of the tribes, he said depended on farming and rearing livestock for livelihood citing that in the North West region, Baherero, who originated from Namibia and found refuge in Botswana were the richest in terms of cattle.

Mr Paya also noted that the country also prides itself on a kgotla and bogosi systems, which he said were vibrant and well-anchored institutions.  

He explained that the institution of chieftainship and its associated traditional structures had existed from pre-colonial times and had survived the post-independence period.

The kgotla, he said, continued to be central in giving a platform to an individual to exercise their democratic rights, brainstorming as well as epitomising dispute resolution among its local communities.

About beliefs, Mr Paya informed the gathering that Botho and humility were key, noting that Batswana respected the elderly.

Issue of resilience and collaboration, he said, had been part of the people, noting that the spirit of giving was sustained to touch the lives of disadvantaged society members. 

“Traditional ways such as mafisa and melaletsa worked wonders for us and moved the country forward,” he added.

He wished such ways and traditional structures could be integrated into business to grow it to greater heights.

For his part, the mine’s chief executive officer, Mr Johan Ferreira said the mine strove to celebrate diversity and welcome all people, adding that the event allowed employees to reflect on their tradition and cultural background and share it with others.

The event, he said, was also meant to ensure the employees recognised that there were people with different religions and beliefs, hence they should embrace them.

Mr Ferreira said it was important to embrace all cultures, appreciate and understand each other, adding that the event was an important nation-building tool to encourage national and global pride. 

“This day is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of people across all walks of life and at Khoemacau we value diversity as a key strategy as diverse workforce generated new ideas and creativity as well as enhanced productivity,” he added.

Mr Ferreira further noted that khoemacau would continue celebrating the event as it would reflect on their values, beliefs and aspirations, thereby defining a cultivated culture of togetherness ,which keeps their integrity as a people. Ends