Ekapa's Jahn Hohne and Peter Hohne stand in front of the newly renamed mine sign
Following the ceasing of the joint venture (JV) between diamond miners Kimberley Ekapa Mining (KEM) and Petra Diamonds, KEM has changed its name to only Ekapa.
At the end of 2018, Petra Diamonds announced its completion of the sale of its and its black economic empowerment partner’s 75.9% interest in the KEM JV.
The name change has been undertaken without changing employment agreements or working conditions, while also contributing to efficiencies through simplification of administration processes and management controls.
Ekapa CEO Jahn Hohne says the name change facilitates a simplification of the company structure and also presents the opportunity to recognise the employees in the Ekapa family.
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Ekapa celebrated in what it describes as an “appropriate form”, with the company donating protective Covid-19 masks to family members of all employees working for the company.
He says that supplying protective Covid-19 masks in this way to thousands of Kimberley residents supports the company’s brand heritage and positioning. He says the masks are special “Ekapa super masks” that incorporate a hydrophobic water-resistant inner protection liner, which makes the masks fully washable and reusable on a daily basis.
Hohne adds that people at the mines have always been and continue to be proud to work to provide for their families. “Their families are proud of them for the way in which they take care of their loved ones, through good times and the difficult times we overcome together as Ekapa people.”
Therefore, he says the masks are not only a contribution to the fight against Covid-19, but also a token of Ekapa’s understanding of the pride of the Ekapa people and how important their families are to them.
According to Hohne it signifies the company’s new slogan Proud to Provide, through which deserved recognition is given to all the people who have been working the diamond mines in Kimberley now for 150 years, and specifically for those people continuing this heritage of pride found in earning a living through hard work to provide for those you are responsible for.