The Light at the Start of Everything

The light at the start of everything looks at you with wonder and delight and it says,
I hope you’re ready for all of this. Because it’s happening.

And Bang. Just like that… you’re here.

And the light says, I hope you travel well.
I hope you ride the wave from the center, all the way out.

And the light says, you know the start, but not the end.
All our ends are different.
And you, you are only here for a little while.
But you are part of some eternal something.

And the light says, there is a way to hold everything you ever were.
There is a way to hold time in your hands.

And the light says, remember, you and I were everything once.

And one day, we’ll be everything again.



Written for The Okavango Blue by international bestselling author and poet, Iain Thomas.

The light at the start of everything looks at you with wonder and delight and it says,
I hope you’re ready for all of this.
Because it’s happening.

And Bang. Just like that… you’re here.

And the light says, I hope you travel well.
I hope you ride the wave from the center,
all the way out.

And the light says, you know the start,
but not the end.
All our ends are different.
And you, you are only here for a little while.
But you are part of some eternal something.

And the light says, there is a way to hold everything you ever were.
There is a way to hold time in your hands.

And the light says, remember, you and I were everything once.

And one day, we’ll be everything again.



Written for The Okavango Blue by international bestselling author and poet, Iain Thomas.

News - Article

Announcement

30 mm

20.46
carats

The unmatched quality and unparalleled purity place it in the upper echelons of blue diamonds ever discovered.

Oval
shape

It is perfectly proportioned with precise, pristine edges.

VVS2
Clarity

The rating is one of the highest polished colour classifications possible for a blue diamond.

Colour
Fancy Deep Blue

The diamonds spectacular colour is classified as Fancy Deep Blue by the Gemological Institute of America.

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TERMS OF USE



1. Introduction

Your use of our website (the “Website”) is governed by the following terms and conditions of use (the “Terms of Use”). If you continue to browse and use the Website you are agreeing to comply with and be bound by our Terms of Use and any notices which are posted on the Website. If you do not agree to the Terms of Use please do not continue to use the Website.

We reserve the right to vary or amend these Terms of Use at any time by posting an updated version of these Terms of Use on the Website. Any such changes will be effective on posting, and by continuing to use the Website you will be deemed to have accepted such changes.

2. Privacy Policy

The Okavango Diamond Company (“ODC”) is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Paragraph 2 of the Terms of Use describes how we collect, store and use any personal data which you provide when you visit the Website. You acknowledge and agree that your personal data may be processed in accordance with these terms.

2.1 Who we are

ODC is a rough diamond marketing company that is wholly owned by the Government of the Republic of Botswana, and is based at the Diamond Technology Park, Plot 67782, Block 8 Industrial, Gabarone, Botswana.

If you have any general enquiries in relation to these Terms of Use please contact us on (+267) 3992300 or info@odc.co.bw. You may also contact the person responsible for our Terms of Use directly at dennis@odc.co.bw.

2.2 Collecting your personal data

We may collect and process your data in the following ways:

  • information that you provide to us by filling in our forms (including, for example enquiry forms);
  • information that you provide to us by e-mail or otherwise in writing;
  • any information provided through online surveys; and
  • information collected automatically when you visit the Website.

Examples of types of personal data which we may collect include (but is not exhaustive):

  • name, title, and contact details (including email address, postal address and telephone numbers);
  • your interest in dealing in ODC diamonds;
  • your complaints, opinions, responses to our surveys or market research;
  • your bank account details (if we need to pay you) or payment card details or bank transfer receipt (if you need to pay us); and
  • information collected automatically, such as your IP address, browsing patterns and demographic data.

2.3 Use of your personal data

We may use your personal data in the following situations and circumstances:

  • for internal record keeping;
  • to provide you with tailored information about our products and/or services;
  • to provide you with bespoke customer services, including dealing with any enquiries and notifying you of any security alerts and updates to our Terms of Use or other relevant messages;
  • to send you, from time to time, material in respect of events or other information which we think you may find interesting;
  • for market research purposes so that we can continue to improve the quality of our services for the benefit of our customers; and/or
  • to aid our understanding of how visitors use the Website, and other limited relevant purposes.

2.4 Basis for collecting your personal data

Personal data may be collected by us under these Terms of Use to enable us to improve and tailor the products, services and information we provide to you. Your personal data may also be used for compliance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

2.5 Sharing your personal data

There may be instances where we may share your personal data only where strictly required with the limited third parties listed below:

  • ODC’s external service providers, including ODC’s external professional advisers;
  • as required to protect the rights or safety of ODC, its employees, associates or affiliates; or
  • where ODC is required or compelled by law to comply with any legal or regulatory requirements, including where such disclosure is made to the relevant court in any jurisdiction, law enforcement agencies, regulatory and other competent authorities and bodies.

We will not transfer your personal data to any organisations who we knowingly understand would use such data for its own marketing, promotional or other purposes.

Where we receive a request from a government or law enforcement authority to provide your data, we will only disclose such information where we are ordered to do so by a court or we are otherwise satisfied after internal review that the body making the request has both the right to seek disclosure and has followed the correct process.

2.6 Retention of your personal data

We will only retain your personal data for as long as is necessary: i) to provide the relevant services outlined in paragraph 2.3, ii) to maintain our business records, and iii) as required by applicable law.

2.7 Your rights

You have a number of general rights in accordance with the collection of your personal data which may include (dependent on the circumstances of the request):

  • the right to obtain a copy of the personal data we have collected about you;
  • the right to update or amend the personal data we have collected about you if it is inaccurate or incomplete;
  • the right to erase, or restrict the processing of, the personal data we have collected about you; or
  • the right to withdraw any consents you have provided in respect of our processing or your personal data.

To exercise any of these rights please write to us using the contact information stated above in paragraph 2.1, or through the Website.

2.8 Security

In order to prevent unauthorised access to, or disclosure of your personal information, we have in place suitable procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. However, due to the inherent nature of the internet as an open global communications vehicle, we cannot ensure the security of your data transmitted to the Website. Any transmission, therefore, is at your own risk. We will not be liable for any resulting misuse of your personal data.

2.9 Cookies

We may collect information from you through the use of “cookies”. “Cookies” are small data files that are sent to your browser or related software from a web server and stored on your computer’s hard drive. Most internet browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Without cookies enabled, you may not be able to use certain features on the Website.

2.10 Governing law

Your use of the Website shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive law of Botswana. You hereby give consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of the Republic of Botswana in respect of any disputes arising in connection with the Website.

2.11 Complaints

If you have any complaints relating to the processing of your personal data, please contact us at info@odc.co.bw; you can also phone us. You may raise a complaint with the relevant data protection regulator if you consider that we have infringed applicable data privacy laws when processing your personal data. This right is without prejudice to any other administrative or judicial remedy you might have.

3. Intellectual Property Rights - No use of ODC names or logos

The Website and all the related pages, including but not limited to content, software, code, graphics or other material contained in or electronically distributed on the Website is owned by us or licensed to us and is protected by copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights. You are responsible for acting in compliance at all times with all applicable intellectual property laws and regulations.

You may retrieve and display the content of the Website on a computer screen and print off one copy or download extracts of site material, provided that you keep intact any copyright and proprietary notices and provided that you agree that you will use any such material for your personal use only, and not for any commercial purpose whatsoever. You may not otherwise reproduce, modify, copy or distribute any of the materials or content on the Website without the express written consent of ODC.

No licence is granted to you in these Terms of Use to use any of ODC’s intellectual property rights. References to other parties’ trademarks on this Website are for identification purposes only and do not indicate that such parties have approved this Website or any of its contents. These Terms of Use do not grant you any right to use the trademarks of other parties.

4. Third Party Websites

The Website may contain links to third-party sites, which are completely beyond the control of ODC. Any such link does not imply endorsement by us of the site nor do we take any responsibility for the use or content of these websites. The links are provided for your convenience only.

5. Limitation of Liability

We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, relating to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the information and related graphics contained on the Website or on any website to which it is linked, or that such information is up to date. We also make no warranty that the services on the Website is secure, free from infection by viruses, malicious code or will meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.

Your use of and access to the Website is entirely at your own risk and you assume full responsibility and risk of loss resulting from your usage, including, without limitation, with respect to loss of service or data. To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree that ODC shall not be liable to you for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, losses, liabilities, expenses or costs of whatever nature which might be incurred through the use of or access to the Website, or any links to third-party websites or which might be incurred as a result of reliance on the information on the Website.

Press

  • GROWTH

    Diamonds are a building block for economic growth and prosperity in Botswana. It contributes to the government's revenue, creates employment opportunities, and funds schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure.

  • SUSTAINABLE

    The ODC strives to build a sustainable future on a global stage for the local diamond industry on the foundation of prosperous and ethically driven business practice.

  • TRANSFORMED

    A journey of transformation is underway as Botswana ascends to its place amongst the world’s leading diamond destinations. It is tapping into the nation’s untold potential through transparency and good governance.

  • NATURAL

    Unearthed in a land renowned for its natural riches and untouched beauty, and named in honour of another Botswana treasure, The Okavango Delta.

"We are conscious of how important ethically sourced, natural diamonds are to the public, and [so, we] are, therefore, fortunate that our diamonds are sourced in the rough by an industry [that] puts the people of Botswana first. Buyers out there can trust the provenance, and the fact that diamonds are doing good for the people of Botswana."


Lipalesa Makepe, Okavango Diamond Company's Chief Financial Officer

The Okavango Blue of Botswana

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