| With the impending release of the movie The | | | | will be showing his full support to the existing |
| Blood Diamond in 2007, it is inevitable that | | | | – legal – diamond industry. |
| different sectors are feeling a little bit uneasy | | | | Many people, even those who admire and respect |
| about possible repercussions. Having a big | | | | everything Nelson Mandela stands for, are now |
| Hollywood star Leonardo di Caprio in its lead role, | | | | feeling rather skeptical about this move. Many are |
| the movie is set to make big waves all around | | | | wondering whether the former Nobel Peace Prize |
| the world. Prior to this movie, the general | | | | winner is now selling out. Perhaps, they say, the |
| public’s exposure to blood diamonds is at | | | | glitter of diamonds was too hard to resist. |
| best limited. Songs have been sung and | | | | Looking into the past might shed some light on |
| references in other movies have been made. | | | | Nelson Mandela’s actions, though. Even way |
| However, this seems to be the widest scale | | | | back in the 1990s, Nelson Mandela was already a |
| exposure yet. | | | | staunch supporter of the legal diamond industry. |
| Understandably, some members of the | | | | He recognized the importance of this industry to |
| international diamond trade are wary about the | | | | the African economy and he was not shy to |
| possible effects of the movie. An interesting | | | | point that out. He has been quoted many times |
| development in this area is the entrance of Nobel | | | | as saying “Rather than boycotts being |
| Peace Prize Winner and former South African | | | | instituted, it is preferable that through our own |
| President Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mandela is a | | | | initiative the industry takes a progressive stance |
| well-known and highly respected figure all over the | | | | on human rights issues.” That is why he |
| world. His post-apartheid policies and activities | | | | was a key player in the Kimberly Process. |
| have gained him the respect of people from | | | | Just because Nelson Mandela is acting as a |
| different countries and races. | | | | spokesperson doesn’t mean that he is |
| Thus it came as a bit of a surprise to some | | | | selling out. Another key point: he is not receiving |
| sectors when news came out that Nelson | | | | any money for his services. Of course, there are |
| Mandela is going to act as a sort of spokesperson | | | | many things that we, the public, may not know. |
| for DeBeers, an icon in the diamond industry. | | | | Though the legitimate diamond industry does |
| Critics were quick to call him as the new poster | | | | contribute a lot to the African economy, we also |
| boy of the diamond industry. What exactly will | | | | know that in this present day and age, there |
| Nelson Mandela’s role be? He is supposed | | | | could still be blood diamonds mining going on. |
| to clarify the difference between what is to be | | | | Organizations such as Amnesty International are |
| depicted in the movie and the reality of life in | | | | quick to point that out. Perhaps a more moderate |
| present day Africa. Supposedly, he will be | | | | statement would placate critics. Then again, Nelson |
| asserting that blood diamonds no longer exist, or | | | | Mandela was never one to back down just to |
| at least are no longer in circulation. In effect, he | | | | pacify his critics. |