DTC Botswana appoints Mr Tabake Kobedi as Managing Director

DTC Botswana has appointed a new head as its Managing Director - Mr Tabake Kobedi, who currently serves as Group Finance Manager for Debswana, managing a diverse range of activities in finance, supply chain, risk management and insurance. Prior to this, Mr. Kobedi has been a senior figure and key driver of the organisational alignment initiative across Debswana. He will take on his new role effective January 10, 2012. His new appointment was decided by the Government of the Republic of Botswana and the De Beers Group, the shareholders of Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC Botswana).

According to a press release, Mr Kobedi will spend the first nine to 12 months of his appointment familiarising himself with the mid-stream and downstream parts of the diamond value chain, visiting cutting centres and associated DTC offices, sightholders and industry stakeholders.

During his transition period, Paul Rowley, currently the DTC’s Executive Director for Sorting, Valuing and Purchasing, will serve as Acting Managing Director of DTC Botswana. Both individuals will work to ensure the smooth and successful transition of the DTC’s London-based sales activity to Gaborone by the end of 2013. Varda Shine, CEO of DTCI, commented on the appointment: “We are delighted with Tabake’s appointment as the first Motswana to lead DTC Botswana. With the eyes and energy of the diamond world increasingly focused on Botswana and the upcoming move of the DTC, we are excited about the experience and skill that Tabake will bring to DTC Botswana.”

Mr Tabake Kobedi succeeds Mr. Brian McDonald who headed DTC Botswana for four years.