De Beers Botswana Creates New Senior Role

Neo Moroka will be the new Resident Director and CEO of De Beers Botswana, the company announced Wednesday. In his new role, a position which the company just created, Moroka will now be responsible for De Beers’ commercial interests in Botswana.

In some respects, Moroka’s new position will incorporate the tasks previously assigned to Sheila Khama, CEO of De Beers Botswana. But the roles are different, De Beers’ Head of Media Relations told IDEX Online.

“This is a new and more senior role reporting directly to [De Beers Group Managing Director Gareth Penny] with a strong commercial and strategic focus, whilst Sheila has reported to Stephen Lussier as she headed up the De Beers External Affairs office in Gaborone, focusing more on reputational issues,” said Lynette Gould.

“Having said that, Neo’s new role will clearly include some of Sheila’s stakeholder management duties. Sheila has made a tremendous contribution to both De Beers and Botswana in communicating the role that diamonds play in the country’s economy - what we call the Diamonds 4 Good campaign.”

Gould said De Beers is looking to continue Khama’s efforts in an international capacity and that Khama is currently considering a number of different options.

 Moroka was previously CEO of BP in Botswana and the country’s Minister of Trade and Industry.

“As our partnership with Botswana grows, so too must our commitment to ensure we are actively managing and optimizing our investments, while delivering on the aspirations of our partners and stakeholders in Botswana,” said De Beers Group Managing Director Gareth Penny. 

Moroka will take up his new position in the coming weeks.