Staff Writer
President Advocate Duma Boko has said Botswana’s natural diamonds continue to tell a powerful transformation story — one defined not only by trade, but by measurable cooperation across industries that drives national development.
Speaking at the medals unveiling ceremony held in Gaborone on Monday morning for the upcoming World Athletics Relays, Boko expressed pride and elation at the integration of Botswana’s natural diamonds into the medals. The global athletics event will be hosted on African soil for the first time, marking a historic milestone for both Botswana and the continent.
The medals, sponsored by the Okavango Diamond Company(ODC), feature Botswana’s natural diamonds and are collectively valued at P10 million. A total of 120 medals have been crafted for the two-day sporting spectacle. President Boko emphasised that natural diamonds are not merely symbols of beauty and prestige, but instruments of impact that must continue to create value across multiple sectors of the economy.
“For Botswana’s natural diamonds, a transformation story continues to be built — this time not through trade alone, but through definable and measurable cooperation across industries,” he said.
Boko stated that the story of diamonds in Botswana is deeply intertwined with the country’s history, heritage and socio-economic progress. He noted that diamonds have long served as the cornerstone of Botswana’s development, enabling investments in infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“Our natural diamonds carry a story of infrastructure built, healthcare strengthened, education expanded and lives transformed. It is a story of a nation that has turned natural resources into shared prosperity,” he said.
The President further highlighted that the integration of diamonds into the medals asserts Botswana’s craftsmanship and resilience on the global stage. He described the upcoming relays not merely as a sporting competition, but as a national showcase of Botswana’s values, capacity and progress.
Furthermore, over and above athletics excellence, Boko said the event amplifies Botswana’s long-standing record of peaceful governance and stable democracy. The diamond-embedded medals, he added, symbolise both the country’s resource wealth and its responsible stewardship.
The unveiling ceremony also served as a platform to signal Botswana’s readiness to host more international sporting competitions. Boko stated that the successful organisation of the World Athletics Relays will demonstrate the country’s confidence and capability to stage world-class events.
In addition to unveiling the medals, the President officiated the rollout of activities leading to Botswana’s upcoming diamond jubilee celebrations. The programme includes the appointment of 60 Diamond Ambassadors and the establishment of a Diamond Gallery, initiatives aimed at showcasing the country’s diamond legacy and future aspirations.
As Botswana prepares to welcome the world for the relays, the fusion of sport and natural diamonds is being positioned as a bold statement of national identity.
