In an interview with Arts&Culture, Nako Timepieces co-founder Gabriel Mothibedi explained that the partnership resulted in a phenomenal collaboration between Nako Timepieces and Okavango Diamond Company in celebration of their 10th Anniversary.
He said the partnership was inspired by the recent transformational agreement between the government of Botswana and the De Beers Group. Mothibedi said diamonds are a source of life and the backbone of the country's economy, as such it is critical to pull resources together.
Furthermore, Mothibedi explained that they partnered in new-product development to participate in making the government’s vision a success to ‘position Botswana as a Global Diamond Hub through marketing strategies that will tell and dignify the Botswana Diamonds Story’.
Additionally, he said they adopted Brand Nako as a case study to foster engagement and government-led participatory activities in creating awareness and building understanding of design innovation: Jewellery design and watch making as prospects of business growth and higher value jobs that can transform the economy across Botswana.
He said through their product offerings and promotions, at Nako Timepieces they would not only like to promote Botswana’s culture through storytelling but also to build capacity into Botswana’s innovative, indigenous and creative potential.
This he said, would enhance the quality parameters of the country's products and services as well as promoting authentic product design inspired by the country’s rich cultural heritage. Mothibedi also pointed out that they envision strengthening the professional practice of design innovation jewellery design and watch making to achieve business and economic development objectives.
They also build platforms for design, jewellery and watch making educators and practitioners, entrepreneurs, the public and private sectors to interact, innovate and shape Botswana’s jewellery and watch making innovation landscape.
Giving keynote address at the ODC 10th Anniversary recently, President Mokgweetsi Masisi said from humble beginnings of generating revenues of less than US$100 million annually to over US$1 billion, the establishment of the Okavango Diamond Company a decade ago was a significant step forward.
He explained that this milestone marked the nation's commitment to enhancing the beneficiation of its diamonds and ensuring that they could sell and market their precious resources right here in Botswana. He added that it was a statement that they were not merely exporters of raw materials but active participants in the global diamond industry.
