In the words of the Managing Director of Debswana, Andrew Motsomi, their collaboration with BotswanaPost in the launch of “Diamonds of Botswana” stamps will give great exposure to the Debswana brand and, most importantly, the country.
He was speaking recently in Orapa at the launch of the latest definitive issue of BotswanaPost stamps, an event that coincided with celebration of the diamond company’s 54th anniversary. Motsomi noted that this is not Debswana’s first partnership with BotswanaPost.
“In 2001, we partnered with BotswanaPost to issue a stamp that showcased jewellery, the by-product of our diamonds, and that, similar to the current project, was delivered seamlessly,” he said. “We are very happy that the current agreement has accommodated more of the diamond story and allowed us to even showcase our milestone successes, such as the large diamond discoveries of recent years, the Okavango Blue and the 1098-carat Jwaneng Diamond.”
Motsomi asserted that the value of such marketing opportunities should not be underestimated, especially for the mining industry, which is constantly grappling with a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. “The integrity of Botswana diamonds relies on us as a collective to continually tell our story amidst challenges such as the rise of lab grown diamonds, global conflicts, and political instability in other diamond-producing nations,” he said.
“We are constantly challenged to raise our hand amongst the global masses to declare our diamonds as conflict-free and ethical, and that is not an easy feat for an upper-middle-income nation that is dependent on the developed world for the sale of its diamonds.” BotswanaPost will distribute the stamps through its vast array of 140 post offices across the country to give Batswana and residents a chance to buy them. The stamps will also be distributed at mines, primary schools and licensed book centres.
“Also of note is that as BotswanaPost participates in local and international exhibitions,” Motsomi pointed out. These stamps will be showcased at significant forums such as the Southern African Postal Operators Association (SAPOA) and the Pan African Postal Union (PAPU).” SAPOA holds annual stamp exhibitions in South Africa where BotswanaPost participates. The “Diamonds of Botswana” stamps will also be showcased at postal bodies of all African states affiliated to PAPU.
Also speaking the launch, the CEO of BotswanaPost, Cornelius Ramatlhakwane, said the “Diamonds of Botswana” stamp issue holds profound significance because it encapsulates the remarkable journey of diamond mining in Botswana. He noted that this is not the first time BotswanaPost has issued diamond stamps. In 2001, the parastatal issued its first diamond stamps that depicted diamonds, machinery used in the industry, and jewellery.
These stamps, he said, through their captivating designs and themes of diamonds, the history, the machinery, and the socio-economic development of Botswana, vividly portray the transformative impact of the diamond industry in Botswana. “Each stamp represents a chapter in our history, from the discovery of diamonds in the 1960s to the socio-economic impact they have brought,” he said. “It is worth mentioning that definitive stamp issues are issued once every five years to commemorate significant aspects of our nation.”
