Gala Salute to Botswana to be celebrated in Washington, DC

To underline and celebrate the global success of the diamond industry in Botswana, a VIP black-tie event entitled Gala Salute to Botswana: “Diamonds Empower Africa” is being organised on June 5, 2012 at the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana, in Washington, DC. The event will be attended by diamond industry leaders, government officials, and business executives from throughout the world, as announced by the Diamond Empowerment Fund and the Embassy of the Republic of Botswana.

Phyllis Bergman, president of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, said, “We are pleased to recognize the outstanding progress and sustainable impact that the diamond industry continues to have on the people and economy of Botswana as a global model of good corporate social responsibility.”

Botswana’s Ambassador, Tebelelo Seretse, called her country as “a beacon of hope, a true jewel of Africa”. She said the success of her country has been contributed by its diamond industry. “As the country embarks on an excellence strategy in partnership with the Diamond Empowerment Fund, it has identified top students, the future leaders called Top Achievers who are sponsored at top universities to further their education to move the country to higher levels”, she added.

The event will be held during the Kimberley Process Intersessional meeting in Washington, DC. A highlight of the evening will be a live auction for a six-night safari adventure for two, donated by Wilderness Safaris in Botswana, including an exclusive day tour of Diamond Trading Company Botswana’s world-class facility in Gaborone. Also, Debswana will arrange for a private tour of the Jwaneng mine - the world’s richest diamond mine by value.

Tiffany & Co. is the presenting sponsor of the event, while the support sponsors include Exelco Group, Julius Klein Group, and Leo Schachter Diamonds.

DEF’s mission is to develop the next generation of leaders in Africa by supporting education initiatives in diamond-producing nations, for which Botswana Top Achiever Program is one amongst its other beneficiaries.