'Tinseltown' To Be Opened Next Month

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With barely three weeks before his retirement, President Festus Mogae will perform the official opening of the multi-million pula DTC Botswana and take over ownership of the world-class facility on behalf of Government from De Beers on March 18.

The building, which DTC Botswana's Managing Director Brian McDonald says is in a class of its own "in the world", was funded by De Beers to the tune of P471 million. "It (DTC Botswana) will help diversify the economy and also help sightholders fulfil their dream of beneficiation," Tim Dabson, DTC London Executive Director responsible for beneficiation said at a press conference in Gaborone last Friday. "Behind the headline job creation of 3 000, beneficiation will come with other services like transport, security and banking."  McDonald told the same press conference that the "world class" facility will sort and value 30 million carats of diamonds per year, making it the largest such plant in the world. The building houses 39 diamond-sorting machines valued at P69 million. The machines have the capacity to process 45 million carats of diamonds and accommodate 600 workers.

Coming only three weeks before the swearing-in of Vice President Ian Khama as President, observers say the commissioning of DTC Botswana - with its glitter and 3 000 jobs in the offing - will be a good omen for the new president.

Editor's Comment
Let us all go to vote

Figures released by the country’s electoral management body have shown that a total of 1, 037, 684 people have registered to vote.However, eligible voters could be discouraged by events leading to the voting day like poor execution of advance voting amid talks that the elections could be unfair.There have also been threats by certain opposition politicians that shall the elections not be free and fair, they will halt them.Despite these...

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