Botswana: Largest Diamond Found in 100 Years Named 'Our Light'

The 1 111 carat diamond discovered in Botswana has officially been named "Lesedi La Rona", which means "our light" in Setswana.

This is the largest diamond to be discovered in 100 years and is second in size only to the Cullinan diamond in the British Crown jewels.

The company that found the diamond - Lucara Diamond Corporation - held a naming ceremony at the Investing in African Mining Indaba on Tuesday.

The diamond will go on a road show under tight security, and it will likely be sold by mid-year. Lucara won't polish or cut the diamond before selling it.

The naming of the diamond comes after a naming competition in which 11 000 email entries and 1 000 SMSs were submitted.

The winner of the competition, Thembani Moitlhobogi, will win 25 000 pula (about R35 600). He said in his entry that the diamond is the pride and hope of Botswana and is a part of its heritage.

The diamond is a type IIa, which makes up 1.8% of gem diamonds, according to Wikipedia. "These diamonds are almost or entirely devoid of impurities, and consequently are usually colourless and have the highest thermal conductivity."

Many large famous diamonds are type IIa, like the Cullinan and the Koh-i-Noor.

The company's focus on mining the south lobe was perfectly timed with the commissioning of their recent plant modifications, enabling the recovery of these large, high quality exceptional diamonds, said Lucara CEO William Lamb.

The Vancouver-based company's assets include the Karowe Mine in Botswana, two Precious Stone Exploration Licenses in Botswana and the Mothae Project in Lesotho.

The 100% owned Karowe Mine is in production, while the 75% owned Mothae Project is currently being divested.

Source: Fin24.

The Lucara diamond, measuring 1,111 carats, is the second-largest high-quality diamond ever discovered on Earth.

Tanzania: First Lady in Tearful Reunion, Farewell At Mbuyuni School

First Lady Janeth Magufuli failed to hold back tears as she bid farewell to pupils and staff room colleagues at Mbuyuni Primary School in Dar es Salaam where she had taught for 17 years.

Mrs Magufuli also received her primary education at the same school. While some school pupils and teachers also burst into tears on the other side, it was all ululation and joy as they also could not hide their happiness at seeing their longtime colleague assuming the new role of assisting her husband, President John Magufuli, in his day-to-day activities.

On arrival at the school, situated between Oysterbay and Msasani Mikoroshini in the city in the morning, Mrs Magufuli was directed to the staff office. Once inside the room she headed directly to her former desk instead of the high table prepared for her.

In an exchange of views with her former colleagues, the first lady was briefed on the challenges the school still faced, including shortage of staff rooms, whereby they had to convert a classroom into an office, therefore denying pupils of learning space.

After the greetings and briefing, Mrs Magufuli went to the school's grounds for the farewell ceremony. Both teachers and pupils applauded and broke into a song in which they congratulated her on her elevation as First Lady.

Acting Kinondoni Municipal Education Officer, Ms Grace Mtesigwa, extended her appreciation for the performance of the Fifth Phase Government. She requested the government to turn its attention to teachers' welfare, including giving them better perks.

Also in a speech read by a Standard Seven pupil, Jane Andrew, the pupils said they were happy that the first lady had visited them. They told her that they did not have enough teachers as pupil intake at the school had shot up.

The Headteacher, Ms Dorothy Malecela, pointed out that the school faced shortage of classrooms, desks and toilets, staff quarters and teachers.

Kinondoni District Commissioner Paul Makonda pointed out that they were finalising discussions with commuter bus owners so that teachers can be rushed to school earlier without paying any fare.

Tanzania: Five Nabbed in Connection With Chopper Attack

Helicopter pilot Roger Gower, right, assists with anti-poaching activities in Tanzania’s Katavi National Park. On January 28, he died after he was shot by poachers while trying to track them down. (file photo)

Ethiopia: 'Fish Rain' in Dire Dawa

It was on (20th of January, 2016) around 11.30pm in DireDawa, Eastern part of Ethiopia, that happened one of the most astonishing event. Diredawa had a fish rain. Yes, you read that right, a rain pouring fish. People in the city have taken the situation as a blessing from God .

As per some reports, a scholar from Haromaya University department of Metrology,Mr Efrem Mamo, has justified the circumstances as common in areas where ocean currents and winds are heavier than the usual.

Other explanations have been made by several scientists though out time: André-Marie Ampère was a French physicist who addressed raining animals for the first time (1775 – 1836). Ampère suggested that at times frogs and toads roam the countryside in large numbers, and that violent winds could pick them up and carry them for a long distances. Nonetheless, there have been many unproven circumstances that have occurred in fair weather conditions and in the absence of strong winds or waterspouts like the situation in DireDawa.

Tornadic waterspouts analysis is a much agreed scientific explanation: saying tornadic waterspout transports animals to relatively high altitudes, carrying them over large distances. This proposition appears to be supported by many and the type of animals carried in such rains are usually small and light, (most of the time aquatic). Such kind of rain is often preceded by a storm. Though, the theory does not account for how all the animals involved in each individual incident would be from only one species, and not a group of similarly-sized animals from a single area.

It might be a blessing for a nation that is fighting a drought.

Source: Addis Insight

Tanzania: Five Held Over British Pilot Murder

Arusha — Five suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident in which a British Pilot, Roger Gower (37), was killed after gangsters gunned down a helicopter that was patrolling the Maswa Game Reserve over the weekend.

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Prof Jumanne Maghembe said here yesterday that the suspects were cooperating with security organs and soon more people making up the poaching syndicate will be brought to justice.

Apparently it is the first time that an incident like this is reported in Tanzania. Prof Maghembe added that, it was high time major operations were conducted in National Parks and Game Reserves especially those located in areas bordering villages as some poachers may pose as residents.

The late Roger Gower who had come to Tanzania about seven years ago was piloting the chopper 5HFGF sent out on a mission to track the criminals who had reportedly killed three elephants.

The culprits reportedly fired on his aircraft belonging to the Friedkin Conservation Fund as it flew over the Meatu District in Simiyu Region bordering Serengeti National Park.

His co-pilot, Mr Nicky Bester was badly injured in the incident and early reports indicated that he managed to jump from the craft, mid-air following the explosion.

The Public Relations Manager for Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), Mr Paschal Shelutete, said that three elephant carcasses were found; indicating that whoever shot the chopper down was on a serious illegal hunting spree.

Mr Shelutete added that the incident was a clear evidence of the heavily armed poachers the government is dealing with, calling for concerted effort from the public in revealing the culprits.

"These people who are heavily armed with sophisticated military weaponry killing elephants in our conservation areas live in the neighbourhood, those with information should come forward. We all need to work together to end the killings of elephants and people fighting poaching," he explained.

In a message posted on its website, founder Mr Dan Friedkin said the organization was "profoundly saddened by the loss of our dear friend," he said, adding that "Roger was killed while piloting a helicopter during a coordinated effort with the Tanzanian wildlife authorities to track down and arrest active elephant poachers.

In the course of this action the poachers fired upon the helicopter and Roger was fatally wounded. Friedkin assured that his organization was committed to honouring Roger and his work.

"We are also committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack are found and brought to justice and believe that Roger can best be honoured by redoubling our commitment to protect elephants and our priceless wildlife heritage."

zinedane zidane named real madrid coach

French football legend zinedine zidane named as the real madrid coach. Zidane takes over following rafael benitez's sacking.

samatta has made Tanzania pride

Tanzanian 24 years old Mbwana Samatta (TP Mazembe) wins african prayer of the year based in Africa for 2015.