Farewell Comfort, Hello Opportunity

In less than two weeks, De Beers will hold its very last Sight in London. Starting in November, the Sightholders who received their Sight in London will be traveling to Gaborone in Botswana instead. Sadly, instead of being a reason for joy over renewal, development and change, most, if not all, are commenting on what is wrong and difficult about it.

Granted, London is one of the greatest cities on Earth. Theater, art, fine dining, beautiful architecture and rich nightlife are all part of this great city, and who in their right mind wouldn't enjoy traveling to the city, even if it’s from a great distance and for just a few days.

Botswana’s capital is, indeed, pleasant and every first time visitor is pleasantly surprised by the city. That said, the vibe around the move is negative, at least at this point.

Because there are no direct flights, Indian Sightholders need to fly through South Africa. However, even a transit stop requires a visa. This is on top of the visa requirement for Botswana. That means that every five weeks, their passports are out of their hands for weeks going through the visa sections of two embassies.

Meanwhile, Sightholders from the U.S. and Japan will have to travel very large distances, again not directly, and only for a few hours of work on the ground before heading out on their way back home.  

De Beers has been working diligently with local hotels and other hospitality providers to make sure that their services and facilities – such as Wi-Fi access, business centers and more – are high quality and ready for Sightholders. We understand that some issues still need to be resolved.

However, beyond these issues, which are mainly related to comfort, wider ones are surfacing. We understand that many in Botswana’s government and diamond industry are wondering why they needed this at all. They, too, enjoyed the trips to London, and are wondering about the real benefits of the move.

One industry insider confided that the diamond team at Botswana’s customs is not ready and that there are concerns about the ability to issue a large quantity of Kimberley Process certificates in such a short time. The thought of goods being delayed for a week after they were paid for has financial implications.

Another question is how the move away from Europe affects Antwerp. This one is yet to be answered. It will require foresight and good planning by the city’s leadership to ensure its future.

So much for the half-empty glass. The opportunities abound. Africa is underdeveloped and yet to live up to its potential. Those who contribute to its growth will benefit from it, too. The government of Botswana is keen on being a success story and is hard at work at creating a thriving business and manufacturing centers.

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