Jwaneng – The town built around a diamond mine
Jwaneng owes its existence to the Jwaneng diamond mine, considered the richest in the world in terms of gem-quality diamonds. The town grew up around the mine, and at first it was a "closed town": anyone wishing to live there needed permission from the mine owner, Debswana.
Over time Jwaneng developed into a proper community with its own life beyond the mine. In 2015 it had 13,162 residents and was identified as the second richest village in Botswana, with a poverty rate of less than three percent. Today Jwaneng stands for the role diamonds have played in Botswana's development. Do you have memories of Jwaneng's early days? Share your stories with us!