De Beers Group has donated the Harry Oppenheimer House (HOH) building in Kimberley to Sol Plaatje University (SPU) following the relocation to Johannesburg in January 2023 of its Sightholder Sales business unit from Kimberley, where it has been operating since 1974, SPU said in a statement.
The donation of the HOH building is part of the De Beers commitment to continue working with the Northern Cape government, key stakeholders and community organisations in investing in the socio-development of the province and its people.
Moses Madondo, Managing Director of De Beers Group Managed Operations, said, “When we relocated our rough diamond sorting and valuation facility from Kimberley to Johannesburg, we made a commitment that our remaining assets would be utilised for the benefit of the city of Kimberley and the Province. This donation will have a long-lasting impact on the future of the province through the development of young people through education – one of De Beers’ key developmental area.”
The HOH building, valued at R54 million, will be used as the main administration block and will serve as the strategic headquarters of the University.