Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, in her role as De Beers‘ global ambassador, recently visited the Venetia diamond mine in Limpopo.
This visit provided insights into the mine’s sustainable development initiatives and its significant role in the local community.
Exploring Sustainable Development
Nyong’o’s visit to the Venetia mine included an in-depth exploration of how the mine supports sustainable development. The Venetia mine, operational since 1993, accounts for approximately 40% of South Africa’s annual diamond production. This large-scale operation is not just a centre for diamond extraction but also a key player in local conservation efforts. Nyong’o toured the 32,000-hectare Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, a De Beers-managed conservation area that protects a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endangered species.
Community and Gender Empowerment
A significant focus of Nyong’o’s visit was on De Beers’ commitment to community empowerment and gender equality. De Beers has implemented comprehensive Social and Labour Plans aimed at fostering equal opportunities for women and supporting local communities. Nyong’o highlighted the remarkable achievements of women in technical roles traditionally dominated by men, such as drill operators, geologists, and engineers.
“I have had a relationship with De Beers jewellery for a while now, and I was very curious to go to the source and experience the journey a diamond makes first-hand. It was a pleasure to meet with the people at the mine, and I was especially struck by the female staff who are breaking barriers and having real success in a sector that has traditionally been the realm of men. It was illuminating and inspiring to meet women from the surrounding communities who occupy and thrive in technical roles as drill operators, geologists, and engineers,” Nyong’o stated.
Moses Madondo, CEO of De Beers Group Managed Operations, remarked, “We were delighted to host Lupita at Venetia and to showcase our world-class operations. There have been a lot of misperceptions about diamond mining, so it was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to show Lupita the best-practice employment and sustainability standards we have at Venetia, highlight some of the vital ways in which the mine supports and advances the local community, and to take her to our majestic Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, which is home to some of South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife.”
