By Boniface Keakabetse

It is the goal of MMG Khoemacau to invest in community upliftment projects, particularly in the education sector.

The Chinese company MMG has pledged to invest resources both in production and in community development following its acquisition of Khoemacau, a long-life silver-copper mine located in the Kalahari Copper Belt.

The Khoemacau Copper Mine will be upgraded to produce 130,000 copper tons by investing $700 million. Additionally, they expect an increase in silver production from 1.6 million to 5 million ounces annually, and they anticipate the workforce to rise from 1,700 to 2,800, mostly comprising Batswana.

As far as community empowerment goes, the MMG takeover has another silver lining. Khoemacau recently held its fourth annual school prize-giving event, which was attended by all eight schools in its service area—seven primary schools and one junior secondary school.

 The panel gave recognition to 29 pupils from Bodibeng, Sehithwa, and Komana primary schools who achieved grade A in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and grade B from Ngami Junior Secondary School. PSLE pupils who performed the best received tablets. Additionally, they recognized the best-performing teachers, and the most improved school heads by giving out awards.

Mr Johan Ferreira

 According to Mr. Johan Ferreira, the chief executive officer of Khoemacau, the mine is fulfilling its pledge to support academic achievement in schools.

 Ferreira claimed that because they supported grassroots development, they were educating the next generation of workers while they were still young.

He complimented Komana School on its outstanding performance, saying that the outcome was evidence of the parents’ and teachers’ commitment to quality education.

Ferreira told the gathering: “We have built a foundation in education that needs enthusiastic educators and encouraging parents to flourish, and I challenge stakeholders to join me in investing in education, in the students who will shape the world of tomorrow,”

Ms Veronica Mochotli

Veronica Mochotli, the regional director of education, expressed her appreciation for the mine’s adoption of all the schools within its operational area, which aimed to promote academic achievement and provide them with essential tools to improve teaching and learning.

‘Through your academic achievement awards program, which recognizes and rewards high-achieving schools, students, and teachers for their dedication, tenacity, and hard work, we really appreciate your vital support,’ she added.

With help from Khoemacau, Sophie Mogalakwe, the head of Komana School with the best performance, revealed that her school outperformed others and achieved 81.3 percent with a 37 percent quality pass rate in As in the 2023 PSLE results.

She claimed that, among other things, resources including computers, Internet access, and photocopiers supported the school.

Mr Bernard Sechele

Bernard Sechele, the country head for Macmillan Botswana, was in his element as he gave teachers and pupils motivation while praising Khoemacau for its investment in education and stating that the mine was igniting a revolution that will have long -lasting effects.

“If you apply yourself and work hard, education can take you out of poverty and to greater heights. I encourage parents to ensure children enjoy their right to education,” he continued.
 Sechele continued by saying that Macmillan also encouraged reading, pointing out that they had given more than a million books to the area to be used in school libraries.