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