MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF MINERAL AND ENERGY AFFAIRS MR PENUELL MEDUNA
APPOINTMENT OF NEW SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMOND BOARD
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Mr Penuell Maduna, has appointed the following members to the South African Diamond Board: a) Department of Minerals and Energy: Mr N Moloi, Chief Director: Minerals Development (as member) Dr J H Bredell, Deputy Director General (as alternate member) b) Department of Finance: Ms R du Rand (as member) c) South African Police Service: Senior Supt P J Otto (as member) Supt T F Weyers (as alternate member) d) Department of Trade and Industry: Mr D Potter (as member) e) Diamond Producers: Mr J Landella, African United Small Miners Association (as member) Dr M Z Nkosi, Schweizer Diggings (as member) g) Diamond Trading Co (Pty) Ltd (the De Beers diamond distribution company): Mr J P H Penny (as member) Mr K I Lunt (as alternate member) h) Diamond dealers: Mr E Blom (as member) Mr J Morgenstern (as alternate member) i) Diamond cutters: Mr S Cohen (as member) Mr Y Tessler (as alternate member) j) Employees of cutters: Mr R Rich, SA Diamond Workers' Union (as member) Mr J D Leenaerts, SA Diamond Workers' Union (as alternate member) k) Jewellery Council of SA: (representing jewellers in the industry) Mr M C Goch (as member) Mr C Kramer (as alternate member) l) Executive Officer: To be appointed by the Minister after consultation with the new Board. m) Members appointed in terms of section 5 (1) (m) of the Diamonds Act No 56 of 1986: Mr G Thula, Group Executive Chairperson of Vela International (Pty) Ltd, (as Chairperson of the South African Diamond Board) Mr K Mthembu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of New Age Beverages Limited (as member) Dr Mokate (as member) Mr M Temane, managing director of Morokweng Diamonds, diamond cutters and manufacturers of diamond jewellery and art (as member) Adv N Cassim of the Johannesburg Bar (as member) Ms L Makatini, Advisor to the Minister (as member) From the appointments it can be seen that the new Board will be more representative of the population as a whole. The appointments take immediate effect and will run for a five year term. Section 5 of the Diamonds Act No 56 of 1986 lays down certain provisions regarding the constitution of the Board, namely that the Board shall consist of: (a) one officer of the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs appointed by the Minister of Minerals and Energy; (b) one officer of the Department of Finance nominated by the Minister of Finance; (c) one member of the South African Police Service nominated by the Commissioner of Police; (d) one officer of the Department of Trade and Industry nominated by the Minister of Trade and Industry and Tourism; (e) two persons who are either producers or in the opinion of the Minister are capable of representing the producers; (f) (Para (f) deleted by s. 2 (b) of Act No. 28 of 1988.) (g) one person nominated by the Diamond Trading Company (Pty) Ltd; (h) one person nominated by an association or by associations which in the opinion of the Minister represent dealers; (i) one person nominated by an association or by associations which in the opinion of the Minister represent cutters; (j) one person nominated by an association or by associations which in the opinion of the Minister represent employees of cutters; (k) one person nominated by the Jewellery Council of South Africa; (l) the executive officer of the Board; (m) so many other persons as the Minister may deem necessary and who in his opinion are able to assist in the Board in achieving its objects. Enquiries: Roland Darroll Phones: (o) (012) 322 8695; (h) (012) 43 3394; (cellular) 082 55 27994