His Majesty Belgian King Philippe has concluded a visit to the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (OR Tambo SEZ), where he participated in a closed roundtable discussion with local entrepreneurs. The King, hosted by Trade, Industry and Competition Deputy Fikile Majola and Gauteng Economic Development MEC Tasneem Motara, conducted a walkabout in the building that will house Belgium-based diamond manufacturer Pluczenik Diamonds South Africa.
Themed “Empowering a new generation to boost the growth of South Africa’s diamond industry”, the roundtable discussion featured several young entrepreneurs in the jewellery and diamond industry and was facilitated by His Majesty.
The proceedings were attended by a Belgian business delegation, Belgian media, an academic team, the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC), as well as Gauteng provincial and local government officials and industry leaders.
The speakers included Kealeboga Lebo Pule, MD – Pluczenik Diamonds South Africa; Molefi Letsiki, MD - Molefi Letsiki Diamond Holdings; Sahag Arslanian, Representative – AWDC; Nomalungelo Stofile, MD – Sunrise Gems and Robin Sibusiso Bhebhe, MD – OC Gems and Khomotso Ramodipa, MD – Kwame Diamonds.
The discussion was centred around developmental topics, such as the roles of education beneficiation, local value-adding initiatives, women empowerment, and how the Belgian diamond industry could contribute towards a vision for the sector’s future in Southern Africa.
“We are honoured to host King Phillipe at our new premises mainly because his visit cements a milestone partnership in the industry. By moving to this precinct, Pluczenik Diamonds South Africa will create an additional 70 jobs, and we couldn’t be more excited to impact more lives in our country. We will also do our part to encourage other businesses in the industry to move here and take advantage of the incentives available to make the South African diamond industry one we can all be proud of.” says Pule.
The programme culminated in a panel discussion on “South Africa’s mineral beneficiation strategy, the role and benefits of the OR Tambo SEZ in promoting investments and the view of private sector SMME development in the mineral beneficiation sector and the on South Africa’s efforts” – which was facilitated by CNBC anchor Zanele Morrison.
The robust engagement featured high-powered industry representatives from DeBeers, Pluczenik, AWDC, Trade, Industry Competition Department’s Deputy Director General Maoto Molefane, and MEC Motara.
Thandiwe Ngqobe, CEO of OR Tambo SEZ, says, “We are confident that through our countries’ bilateral relations and King Philipe’s visit, OR Tambo SEZ will attract more inward investment for South Africa’s economic growth and the success of emerging players in the diamond and cutting sector”. OR Tambo SEZ is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, which is the economic implementing agency of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development.
As the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency’s shareholder, MEC Motara concludes: “South Africa boasts a rich and diverse mineral resource base, making it one of the world’s most significant mining jurisdictions. The Gauteng government’s Growing Gauteng Together 2030 plan prioritises transforming, modernising, and re-industrialising 10 high-growth sectors, including jewellery manufacturing. The significantly declining number of diamond cutters over the last 20 years calls for strategic partnerships like this and government creating an enabling environment to ensure growth and sustainability.”
About OR Tambo SEZ
The Gauteng IDZ Development SOC Limited (GIDZ or Gauteng IDZ) is a Special Purpose Vehicle that is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA).
Established in 2009, the Gauteng IDZ is mandated to develop and operate the designated OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at OR Tambo International Airport.
In support of its mandate, the Gauteng IDZ works to create an enabling platform for manufacturing investment opportunities that support the positioning of OR Tambo International Airport SEZ and the Gauteng City region as globally competitive investment locations. The Gauteng IDZ also aims to promote job and enterprise development opportunities; the latter is facilitated through partnerships that enable the sustainable growth of emerging enterprises or new industrialists, further contributing to economic growth.
About Pluczenik Diamonds South Africa
Pluczenik was established in South Africa in 1948 before its headquarters was moved to Belgium a few decades later. It also has diamond-cutting and polishing facilities in Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho. In 2021, the global diamond manufacturer and trader re-entered the South African market by partnering with Kealeboga Pule, Founder of Nungu Diamonds, to open a diamond cutting and polishing facility in Bedfordview.
The partnership resulted from diamond miner De Beers’ enterprise development programme, with Pule now serving as Pluczenik South Africa’s Managing Director. So far, the Pluczenik Bedfordview facility has created 30 new jobs, with South Africans being skilled in cutting and polishing diamonds. It is envisaged that another 70 new jobs will be created when the company relocates to the OR Tambo SEZ. The partnership continues to enable South Africa to meet its beneficiation objectives and supports communities, particularly as diamonds have a long history and heritage in the country. Pluczenik is one of the largest buyers of rough diamonds globally and has been a De Beers sightholder for over 60 years.
For more information contact:
Lerato Sewpersad
Media Relations: GGDA
Contact: Leratos@ggda.co.za
Bongiwe Gambu
Spokesperson: GPGDED
Contact: Bongiwe.Gambu@gauteng.gov.za