Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has concluded an immersive tour to South Africa and Namibia, aiming to understand the broader implications of the diamond industry. The De Beers global ambassador visited diamond mines, trading companies, and community projects to assess the sector’s role in sustainable development.
Nyong’o’s itinerary included a tour of De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine in South Africa, where she examined the company’s operations and environmental practices. In Namibia, she visited the Namibian Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) and Namdeb to grasp the industry’s economic impact on the country.
Beyond the mining operations, the actress also delved into the social initiatives undertaken by De Beers. These include programs focused on women’s empowerment, education, and community development. Nyong’o’s visit to the BeFree Campus in Namibia, a youth facility, highlighted the broader social impact of the industry.
While the actress expressed admiration for the strides made in gender equality within the diamond sector, her primary focus was on understanding the industry’s overall contribution to the communities it operates in. Her visit comes amidst growing scrutiny of the diamond industry’s environmental and social practices.
Nyong’o’s findings and insights are expected to be shared in the coming months.