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De Beers today celebrated the donation of a sculpture presented to the Group from the Oppenheimer family, marking an almost century-long association between the family and De Beers in the Company’s 125th anniversary year (1888 to 2013). The artwork consists of a sculpture by well-known South African Sculptor, Geoffrey Armstrong, and was carved from the remains of an old ghost gum (Eucalyptus papuana) estimated to be over one hundred and forty years old. The tree, from the Oppenheimer’s Brenthurst Garden, collapsed from natural causes in March 2012, and would have been planted before De Beers Consolidated Mines was formed in 1888.
Phillip Barton, CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines, welcomed guests, which included past De Beers Executive, members of the Oppenheimer family, EO&Son Executives as well as De Beers employ
In his address, Nicky said: "The Geoffrey Armstrong sculpture, being wood, will evolve, age and, over the years, it will weather and eventually it will naturally change colour and return to its natural elements, like all life, but totally unlike a diamond which is eternal."
Barend Petersen, Chairman of De Beers Consolidated Mines, expressed the thanks of the Company and its employees for the gift stating; "the Oppenheimer family provided three Chairmen between December 1929 and October 2012 and 130 years of family service on the board. Nicky, our last Chairman, led the Company into revolutionary changes in the diamond sector: the creation with governments and civil society, a mechanism of warranties to protect the ethics of diamond mining and trading, a world first in any sector and the emergence of a far more competitive and representative diamond mining sector in South Africa. I can say now that with leaving De Beers in the hands of Anglo American you have become more than a great leader, you are a legend".
Following the unveiling ceremony a cocktail function was held in Cornerstone Building, Rob Smart, Chairman of the Diamond Route, addressed the guests. He thanked the Oppenheimers for the donation of the sculpture. Rob said: “This donation is in recognition of the 125th anniversary of the founding of De Beers and the Oppenheimer’s almost century long leadership of the company and the ‘Diamond People’ who have made and continue to make De Beers the iconic company that it is. Life is a journey and in anyone’s language 125 years represents a long journey”.
Rob also went on to say: “This contribution is not simply a historical one, but one which continues today and will continue into the future, because De Beers and the Oppenheimers both remain drivers on a journey together and the path that they follow on this journey is the Diamond Route.
In a single phrase, it means, 'demonstrating the good that Diamonds do'. The Diamond Route shows that business need not impose any limits on ambitions to contribute positively to the conservation, management and restoration of our natural capital base. No other landowners in southern Africa have the size, combination and diversity of important biodiversity areas, heritage and tourism attractions as the Diamond Route. The De Beers Group of Companies and the Oppenheimer family ensure the Diamond Route acts as a source of innovation, inspiration and creativity for others. The Diamond Route has become a recognised and responsible brand that is synonymous with ‘Living up to Diamonds’, demonstrating that conservation is part of our business. It contributes solid reputational value through its internationally recognised programme that links the De Beers Group of Companies and the Oppenheimer family, with conservation, diamonds and mining".
About De Beers Group of Companies
De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with unrivalled expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 23,000 people across the diamond pipeline, and is the world’s largest diamond producer, by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to Living up to Diamonds by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers visit www.debeersgroup.com.