Page 21 - 25 Reasons

Thoko Zwane Munirah Desai Mosibudi ‘Jo’ Mathole
Polished diamonds

Earlier this year, Anglo American’s diamond business, De Beers Group, celebrated the successful
conclusion of the first phase of its Enterprise Development Project for Diamond Beneficiators.
Launched in 2016, the project aims to facilitate the growth and transformation of the diamond
cutting and polishing industry in South Africa, with a holistic approach that seeks to optimise
interventions in all aspects of the diamond pipeline

THOKO ZWANE MUNIRAH DESAI MOSIBUDI ‘JO’ MATHOLE
THOKO’S DIAMONDS DIAMONDS AFRICA KWAME DIAMONDS
iving in Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, I’d y love for diamonds started when, y career began in stockbroking and
always assumed that I would have a as a young bride, I received a investment banking, but I have always
‘Lfuture in the textile industry. My world ‘Mdowry. I wanted to spend part of it ‘Mbeen fascinated by diamonds and the
was turned upside down when, as a jobseeker, on a diamond, so I contacted the De Beers head diamond industry, which, traditionally, has been
I was continuously unsuccessful in finding office. They were a little nonplussed that I dominated by men. I believed women could play a
employment in my desired field. hadn’t gone directly to a store, but I was part in turning around some of the more negative
“A door finally opened when an advertisement adamant my diamond had to come from De perceptions of the industry by starting a legitimate
caught my eye. It was a poster advertising a job Beers. After pestering them for a few weeks, I business that was properly run and licensed.
at a well-known diamond cutting and polishing was given the name of a dealer from whom I “I went on a diamond sorting and valuation
factory. The word ‘diamond’ stood out for me. I could buy a De Beers diamond. course and received my licence in 2006. I also
fell in love with the word. “My visit to the dealer changed my life. Over travelled through Africa to learn more about the
“I was offered a position – I didn’t know it the years, he became my mentor and my very industry, and teamed up with an Indian company
would turn out to be the helping hand I good friend. At our first meeting, we came to to help them set up a South Africa-based diamond
needed to support my family, as well as the an agreement that I would sell some of his cutting works. My partner Khomotso Ramodipa
start of a journey that would change my life. stones for a small profit while learning about and I started Kwame Diamonds in 2010.
“My mind-set to succeed motivated me to the nuances of the diamond trade. Initially, it “The main barrier in the beginning was finance.
accumulate my savings throughout my years was just a hobby, but, when my children had When I approached a financial institution for help,
working in the factory until, eventually, I had grown up, I decided to turn it into a career. they laughed at me. Also, this is a close-knit
enough to buy my first stone from a subsidiary “I completed the course offered by the Harry industry, so you need someone to vouch for you,
of De Beers. My subsequent relationship with Oppenheimer Diamond Trading School and also and to develop contacts and alliances.
the dealer grew to a point where they trusted qualified as a GIA graduate. It was a beautiful “Initially, when I started engaging with De Beers,
me enough to supply me with rough diamonds time in my life.” all I wanted was for it to supply us with diamonds.
on credit. These were the gems I needed to It turned out that the company was interested in
take the next step in my diamond journey. helping to grow and transform the local diamond
“Fast forward a decade and I was finally the sector, and that’s how we landed up on its
founder and CEO of my very own diamond enterprise development programme.
cutting and polishing company. My dream had “I am eternally grateful to De Beers. It’s not
turned into a reality.” always easy to find someone who has faith in you.”
ANGLO AMERICAN 25 REASONS TO BELIEVE 21