Building Forever De Beers Group

Episode 11: Empowering Artisanal Miners in Sierra Leone 

In this episode, we’re focusing on the topic of artisanal mining and how, by supporting small-scale miners, we’re helping create a better diamond world for everyone. 

Artisanal mining accounts for 20 per cent of the global mining industry and so, as market leaders, we’re building the ethical foundations of a fairer industry and making positive change throughout the diamond value chain. 

We speak to Ruby Stocklin-Weinberg, George Boima Abdulai and Musa Saquee at GemFair, a De Beers group programme based in Sierra Leone. Together they unpack how they’re creating a secure route to market for small-scale miners and helping them get a fair price for their diamonds. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com. 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 

Today, you’ll learn about: 


GemFair and its work in Sierra Leone. 02.53 
How GemFair training officers are tackling human rights abuses. 06:51 
The female miners in Kenema getting a fair price for their diamonds. 08:46 
The challenges facing the artisanal mining sector. 11:04 
Ruby, George and Musa shout out the people at GemFair making change happen. 13:03. 

Resources 

Find out more about GemFair’s work connecting artisanal miners to the global diamond marketplace on its website. 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Episode 10: Diamonds Doing Good



In this episode, we find out how natural diamonds are doing good in the countries they’re discovered and – how through them – we’re helping bring Building Forever to life in Namibia.

 

As one of the key contributors to the Namibian economy, we’ll find out how, in partnership with the Namibian government, we’re making a positive impact on the country’s people and communities for decades to come.

We speak to Selma Usiku, Projects Geologist in Mineral Resource Management from Debmarine Namibia and Emmarencia Shanglee, Project Manager – Strategic Projects at Namdeb, about their work and how our diamonds are doing good across the region.

 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com

 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

 

Today, you’ll learn about:


The natural beauty of Namibia. 02.03
Oranjemund and our positive impact on education. 04:52
The reality of Building Forever in Namibia. 08.33
How diamonds are doing good in the region. 14.38
How we’re continuing to make a positive mark on the region. 17.01
Selma and Emmarencia shout out those colleagues making change happen. 19.48

 

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

In this episode, we find out how we’re tackling climate change and nature loss from those who are leading by example. Because while we’re already acting to minimise our operational carbon footprint, everyone has a part to play in moving from words to deeds and adopting more sustainable behaviours. 

 

We speak to Elmarie Snyman, Sustainability Officer at Namdeb – Oranjemund, Charlotte Johns, Sustainability Integration Manager, and Alice Kgopana, Safety and Sustainability Manager, Diamond Trading – Botswana, about how they’re making change happen locally while supercharging our efforts across the Group.

 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.

 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:

·       How climate has been impacting our people around the world. 01:28

·       What motivates people to take action against climate change. 04:17

·       What the Climate Action Team are working on and how it’s transforming words into actions. 07:45

·       How we’ve been harnessing Deedster to make an impact and measure progress. 11:26

·       How Diamond Trading Botswana is being more sustainable in its Gaborone office. 15:02

·       The most important thing Elmarie, Charlotte and Alice each want to achieve over the next 12 months. 18:17

 

Resources

Learn more about what we’re doing to protect the planet by partnering for thriving communities through Building Forever. 



Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.

Minisode Two: A Day in the Life of a Forewoman at Venetia Mine

In this minisode, we talk to Nkhensani Malongete, a senior forewoman at our Venetia Mine.

Nkhensani tells her incredible story as one of the first women to work as a Forewoman at the mine. We also find out how we’re making a real difference in the communities in which we operate. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us. 

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.  

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us on Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 



Today, you’ll learn about: 


Nkhensani’s journey to working at the Venetia Mine. 01:06 
An average day for Nkhensani. 06:18 
The importance of maintaining a zero-harm environment. 10:24 
Tackling water scarcity on site. 11:35 
Making a positive impact in local communities. 13:20 



Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode. 

Minisode One: How to be an Entrepreneur in South Africa

In this minisode, we talk to Ditshego Sebudubudu, a 30-year-old entrepreneur living and working in South Africa.

Ditshego is the sole director of Kamogelo ya khutso pty (ltd), a courier service contracted at our Venetia Mine. We find out about her journey as an entrepreneur, from her first startup to becoming a contractor, and how training has helped build her business grow. 

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us. 

You’ll find us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com. 

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts. 

Today, you’ll learn about:    


Ditshego's business journey. 01:02
How Ditshego’s business has grown. 03:01
The benefits of training and ongoing support. 04:41
Advice for budding entrepreneurs. 05:48



Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this minisode.

Episode Eight: A Water Wonderland

In this episode, we tell the story of our partnership with National Geographic – Okavango Eternal – which aims to tackle one of the biggest conservation challenges in Africa: preserving the source waters of the delta and the lives they support.

We speak to Otsile Mabeo, our Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Government Relations in Botswana, about how – through the partnership – we’re protecting, supporting and amplifying the remarkable story of a water wonderland: the Okavango Delta.

Ethical practice, thriving communities, equal opportunity and the natural world are topics teeming with questions – and if you’ve got one for us, we’d love to hear from you. So, if there’s something you think we should discuss in a future episode, do get in touch with us at debeersgroupcommunications@debeersgroup.com.

If you’re enjoying the show, please share it with someone you think might enjoy it as well. Never miss another show by following us at Anchor or wherever you subscribe to your podcasts.

Today, you’ll learn about:


How the delta is under threat – and the challenges those in the region are facing. 01:40
The shared ambitions that are fuelling our partnership with National Geographic. 04:45
How the partnership is boosting the region’s economic prospects. 07:12
The impact the partnership is having locally – and on neighbouring regions, too. 08:24
How we’re amplifying the story of the delta and its people. 10:10
What lies ahead. 11:38
Discussing poling, the mokoro and National Geographic’s documentary ‘Nkashi: Race for the Okavango’. 13:50
Recognising those crucial to the partnership’s success – and final thoughts. 16:37



Resources

Learn more about how we’re partnering for thriving communities through programmes such as Okavango Eternal; a combined effort with National Geographic to tackle one of the biggest conservation challenges in Africa.

Transcript

Click here to access a full transcript of this episode.