New York, NY; November 12, 2013 – Last night, D.E.F.’s Empowerment Circle Partner, Malca-Amit hosted a celebratory event honoring the inaugural 2013 Botswana Sight. Government officials, dignitaries, and DTC Sightholders, were among the guests recognizing the importance of the move of De Beers Sales Operations from London to Botswana. Noting the historic nature of the first sight, Nigel Paxman, CEO of Malca-Amit said “this momentous occasion marks a new chapter for further expanding diamond beneficiation throughout Southern Africa”.
Malca-Amit South Africa CEO, Graeme Lazarus, introduced an address to the audience by Dr. Benjamin Chavis, co-founder of D.E.F. Chavis emphasized “the important role the diamond industry has played in the growth and stability of Botswana” while saluting H.E. President Khama and the Government of Botswana “for providing outstanding leadership as one of Africa’s leading democracies and growing economies.” Chavis also thanked Malca-Amit for their financial support and commitment to D.E.F.’s mission as an Empowerment Circle Partner. The D.E.F. Empowerment Circle, which also includes Tiffany & Co., Sterling (Kay Jewelers and Jared the Galleria of Jewlery) Exelco Diamonds (Tolkowsky Diamonds), Leo Schachter Diamonds (the Leo Diamond), and the Dalumi Group, enables D.E.F. to fulfill its mission of ’empowering the next generation of African leaders’ by funding students at the Botswana Top Achievers Program, the African Leadership Academy, and the CIDA City Campus. Support for D.E.F. can also be made by attending the upcoming GOOD Awards in NYC on January 9th honoring Forevermark, JCK, and Fred Meyer Jewelers and attending the Diamonds in the Sky Las Vegas gala on May 29th where DEF will present the 2014 Global Diamond Industry Achievement Award to H.E. President Khama and the Government of Botswana.
The Diamond Empowerment Fund was co-founded by Russell Simmons and leaders in the diamond industry in 2007. For more information on D.E.F. or the Empowerment Circle Program, please visit deforg.staging.wpengine.com or contact Executive Director Nancy Orem Lyman at n.lyman@diamondempowerment.org. Since 1963, Malca-Amit has been providing full-service logistical solutions for those dealing in diamonds & jewelry, precious metals, fine arts and luxury goods. For more information on Malca-Amit please visit www.malcaamit.com.
