It is not often that comedians get to share a stage with well-established acts in their territory, let alone headline the event at a top-notch venue. This past weekend marked an interesting time in the future of the local comedy industry as more and more of Botswana’s comedians are getting a break to display their talents on Southern Africa stages. In their quest to create a sustainable market and continual artist development, Major Moves Comedy secured a booking for Thapelo Malani who headlined the Lol’d Shedding Comedy Night at Alliance Francaise Lusaka which was organised by the Night of Laughter…
Author: Editor
The 183 Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will adopt decisions and resolutions to expand and further strengthen the global wildlife trade regime at CITES’ triennial World Wildlife Conference at Palexpo in Geneva from 17 to 28 August. Governments have submitted 56 new proposals to change the levels of protection that CITES provides for species of wild animals and plants that are in international trade. Many of these proposals seek to ensure that trade in at-risk species remains sustainable by requiring trade permits through a CITES Appendix II listing. Others recommend banning…
Lucara Diamond Corp. has reported its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 that showed the company recognised revenue of $91.2 million or $463 per carat for its sales in the first half of the year, yielding an operating margin of $292 per carat (63%). The company said the operating cash cost for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $31.16per tonne processed (H1 2018: $36.64 per tonne processed) compared to the full year forecast cash cost of $32-$37 per tonne processed. It highlighted the continued excellent operational performance at Karowe mine has driven a strong 63% operating margin (H1 2018: 65%) and adjusted EBITDA year to date of $38.6 million (H1 2018: $37.5 million). Operating…
Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE)-listed Minergy Limited, the coal mining and trading company owning 100% of the 390-million tonne Masama Coal Project in the Mmambula Coalfield, has provided the market with an update on the status of the project. Minergy CEO, Morné du Plessis, said they have come such a long way and are pleased with developments at the mine site. “We are extremely excited about the future of the project, our ability to supply coal into the region, the highly experienced team responsible for executing the plan, as well as our capacity to contribute towards a viable coal sector in…
Diamond-market sentiment was weak in July due to tight profits and liquidity. The pressures facing cutters and dealers resulted from high rough supply at inflated prices during 2017 and 2018, even as polished prices were softening. The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat polished fell 0.9% during the month. The index was down 4% since the beginning of the year and 6.1% over the past 12 months. The midstream is being squeezed and is bearing the risk of holding inventory: Miners are maintaining high rough prices, while jewelers are holding fewer goods in…
De Beers said its rough diamond sales were lower during its sixth sales cycle of the year on the back of a host of factors that are afflicting the industry. According to diamond major’s Rough Sales For Cycle 6, 2019, figures for the sight stood at US$250 million which was seen as the lowest in years. The group’s chief executive officer, Bruce Cleaver highlighted uncertainties in the market. “With ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, retailers managing inventory levels, and polished diamond inventories in the midstream continuing to be higher than normal, De Beers Group provided customers with additional flexibility to defer some…
Eskom has welcomed the appointment of Jabulane Mabuza as Interim Executive Chairman and Acting Group Chief Executive of the company effective 1 August 2019. The announcement was made by the Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan at the Eskom Annual General Meeting held in Pretoria. “I have made myself available to serve as the Interim Executive Chairman and Acting Group Chief Executive of Eskom with a good appreciation of the importance of leadership stability in the company right now as we look at the implementation of a sustainable operational and financial turnaround plan,” Mabuza said. “The Board supports and welcomes…
Major Moves Comedy is back from the winter break with an all female lineup for their monthly event. The Queens of Comedy event will showcase female comics from different countries who will share the stage with local heavyweights. The stellar lineup includes female comedians from Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe who will take to the stage at Masa Square Hotel on Friday August 2. The event aims to showcase the best Queens of comedy in a relaxed and buoyant environment. The rib cracking lineup features Mandy Ginindza (Swaziland), Nancy Vikacha Phiri (Zambia), Nomsa Diana Muleya (Zimbabwe), alongside Botswana’s…
Botswana Diamonds ( BOD) has raised £250,000 (before expenses) via the placing of 50,000,000 new ordinary shares with new and existing investors at a price of 0.5p per Placing Share. According to the company, the Placing Shares represent approximately 7.98% of its issued share capital as enlarged by the Placing. “The use of funds will be to continue diamond exploration efforts in Botswana, progress the Thorny River bulk sampling programme, bring the Marsfontein dumps and gravels into commercial production with first diamond sales expected by Q4 2019 (assuming customary regulatory approval) and for general working capital purposes,” said BOD. The…
Diversified mining services company Ausdrill Limited has provided an update on the approximately A$800 million, five-year underground mining services contract at the Zone 5 Mine in Botswana recently awarded to Ausdrill’s subsidiary, Barminco, from Khoemacau Copper Mines (Khoemacau). As per Ausdrill’s ASX release on 24 June 2019, the contract was subject to Khoemacau Project funding closing. Ausdrill Managing Director Mark Norwell said: “This is one of the largest contracts awarded to Barminco and a major opportunity for Ausdrill under our international growth strategy. “We are delighted that the funding package has successfully closed and look forward to delivering on this…