On Friday, 5 September 2025, the Maranyane Bokamoso Job Shadowing Camp 2025 concluded successfully with a Career Fair and Graduation Ceremony at Albert Milton Hall, Jwaneng Mine. The week-long camp brought together senior school girls from Moshupa, Seepapitso, Lobatse, Good Hope, and Matsha College, who spent the week shadowing female engineers and professionals across various departments at Jwaneng Mine.
The day began with a safety briefing and community moment before guests were welcomed. In his remarks, Jwaneng Mayor, His Worship Ronica Ntsimako, reminded students that Jwaneng, famously known as the “Diamond of the Nation,” reflected the potential of its people. He explained that diamonds do not simply leap from the earth into polished brilliance; they are mined, cut, refined, and perfected through deliberate effort. In many ways, he said, this was exactly what the Maranyane Bokamoso programme had done for the graduates.
Tebogo Gareitsanye, Corporate Affairs Manager – Social Impact, provided an overview of the programme, highlighting its growth and mission to empower girls and differently abled learners in STEM. He emphasized that development was not only about infrastructure but about people. Investing in the education and growth of youth, he noted, was a meaningful way to shape the future, equipping children, especially girls and differently abled learners, with the skills and confidence to thrive.
During the Keynote Address, Mayor Ntsimako inspired the students to rise to the challenge of becoming Botswana’s next generation of leaders. She noted that Botswana was moving towards a knowledge-based economy that required scientists, innovators, doctors, engineers, IT specialists, and problem-solvers. She encouraged the students not only to study but to contribute, create, and lead.
The event also featured a moving testimonial from Omogolo Margaret Keipone, a graduate of the 2nd cohort who was studying Mining Engineering at BIUST. She explained that before the programme, she had seen engineering as a field meant for males. Meeting the women working at the mine inspired her and helped her see her place in STEM. This motivation pushed her to work harder, improve her results, and secure a place at the Botswana International University of Science & Technology.
Graduates of the 3rd cohort received certificates of completion, exam care packs, and laptops, recognizing their hard work and providing support for their future studies. Teachers, parents, and mentors reflected on the programme’s impact, noting how it had strengthened students’ confidence, improved academic performance, and shaped career aspirations.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Monty Rakgabo, Director of the Southern Regional Education Office, stated that the programme had gone beyond simply concluding; it had enabled young people to find their voices, discover their potential, and approach the future with confidence.
The Career Fair that followed connected students directly with industry professionals, allowing them to explore potential career opportunities. Having reached over 100 students across three cohorts, the Maranyane Bokamoso programme continued to shine as a model of empowerment and collaboration, shaping Botswana’s future one student at a time.