Blog DeBeers' gives back by 'Building Forever'

[bcmacdonald]

John Pollard describes how a Corporate Diamond Giant is giving back in Africa.

John Pollard published a new blog post.

The Okavango River is the fourth largest in Africa. ​

Its vital waters, coursing through Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, sustain one of the world’s largest, most biodiverse wetlands. Inhabited for centuries, the basin's indigenous people long ago harmonized their culture and lifestyles with the Okavango's cycles such...

Continue reading the Original Blog Post.

 

[Karl_K]

Even though reading the name DeBeers’ still makes me want to hiss and boo.
This is a good thing they are doing.
But even when an evil company does good things they are still evil.

 

[John Pollard]

Even though reading the name DeBeers’ still makes me want to hiss and boo.
This is a good thing they are doing.
But even when an evil company does good things they are still evil.

The infamous parts of DeBeers' reputation were, quite literally, a century (or more) in the making. Debswana and Namdeb were consummated during that time - bringing sweeping positive change to those partner-nations - but much of what I covered only occurred after the Oppenheimer dynasty ended in 2011.

The shifting of hundreds of jobs from London to Gaborone while creating thousands more in Bot/Nam/SA signaled, to me, a shift in philosophy (and philanthropy). Look at the last three CEOs.

It's why I posed the questions - Do you know the names Gareth Penny, Philippe Mellier, and Bruce Cleaver? (and) Can corporate giants reinvent their identities?

 

[DejaWiz]

Are you surprised by any of this?
Yeah, a bit.

Do you know the names Gareth Penny, Philippe Mellier, and Bruce Cleaver?
Bruce Cleaver

Can corporate giants reinvent their identities?
Yes, it happens all the time. Very prominent in the automotive and technology/computers industries.

Is DeBeers prioritizing philanthropy or just serving their own interests?
Both, I think. Any press is good press, as the old saying goes.

Did you know all of their diamonds are aggregated, sorted, and distributed from Botswana – even their Canadian yield?
I had no idea!

Should DeBeer’s open a public “Diamond Disney” in one of their mines with roller-coasters and haunted house rides?
Totally...call it the 4Csins!

What would they name their version of Mickey Mouse?
Carat Top

 

[John Pollard]

Are you surprised by any of this?
Yeah, a bit.

Do you know the names Gareth Penny, Philippe Mellier, and Bruce Cleaver?
Bruce Cleaver

Can corporate giants reinvent their identities?
Yes, it happens all the time. Very prominent in the automotive and technology/computers industries.

Just my opinion from the mezzanine - those answers are tied together.

What would they name their version of Mickey Mouse?
Carat Top

You owe me a computer monitor and a fresh cup of coffee.

Best answer ever.

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Bruce Cleaver thinks I need blue labgrown pendant.

 

[Karl_K]

I view it as the same as with Bill Gates all the people they help does nothing for all the people and businesses they harmed.
While its a good thing, it does not set the evil score they earned to zero.

 

[oceanblue]

I stopped subscribing to National Geographic years ago. Every issue had to be first swept clean of all their paper advertisement inserts and then it would take me a total of 15 minutes to read. Beautiful pictures with not a lot of substance......much like the preview film in the article.

DeBeers know how to market and National Geographic know how to make a emotionally pretty film.

Real facts would work better for me.

Oh and I wondered if Prince Harry is a partner in this endeavor, isn't Botswanna the country close to his heart.

 

[DejaWiz]

You owe me a computer monitor and a fresh cup of coffee.

Best answer ever.

I highly recommend the 27" to 32" ViewSonic VX series IPS 144Hz in your choice of 1440p or 4K.
If I ever get the privilege of meeting you, then I will gladly buy you a cup or three of bean juice.

 

[AprilBaby]

Thanks for the link to the video! Gorgeous!