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