State Diamond Trader CEO Futhi Zikalala last month led a delegation from South Africa to the Hong Kong International Gem and Jewellery Show, one of the biggest shows in the world, which attracted more than 30 000 participants from over 50 countries and regions.
Opportunity
For South Africa, this was an opportunity to showcase the country’s diamond beneficiation and jewellery-making sectors, as well as expose South African manufacturers and jewellers to international markets, thereby furthering their industry education.
Accompanying Zikalala was a group of young entrepreneurs who were given an opportunity to showcase their work to the global market. The State Diamond Trader facilitated exhibits by 16 com-panies at both venues of the show.
“As South Africa, one of our aims is to grow our diamond manufacturing and beneficiation industry. Along with this is the responsibility we have to afford young people an opportunity to access this sector, thus creating more entrepreneurs and, consequently, more job opportunities.” Zikalala says.
In 2011, government approved the beneficiation strategy to promote local value addition. The work of the State Diamond Trader in this regard forms part of the implementation of this strategy.
Further, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu hosted the first National Jewellery Forum in 2013, an ideal platform to grow the country’s diamond cutting and polishing industry.
“As part of the continuing work of the forum, shows of this nature are important yardsticks to be used to constantly measure the level and quality of South Africa’s diamond and precious metals beneficiation,” Zikalala notes.