KGK Enterprises Celebrates Freedom Day

KGK Enterprises, a Diamond Trading Company sightholder with a sight in both London and South Africa, was the main sponsor for two 13th Freedom Day of South Africa events taking place in India. The event was held on the evening of April 27, 2007, in Mumbai and on April 28 in Delhi.

In Mumbai the celebrations included a gala dinner in which chefs were flown in from South Africa to prepare authentic cuisine from their homeland. A live performance by South Africa troupe Thembi Skosana entertained the audience.

From Left to Right: Amit Ghiya, Tanaz Irani, Monika Divekar, N.R. Kothari, Buzi Kuzwayo (Consul Gen. South Africa,) Sandeep Kothari, Preeti Kothari. Photo courtesy of KGK Enterprises.

KGK chairman N. R. Kothari said, "As we are a sightholder in South Africa, we have long term interest in this young country.

"South Africa is the economic powerhouse of Africa with political and economic stability. It is also strategically located," he said.

Diamond and jewelry demand is on the increase in South Africa from the domestic markets as well as from tourists. "In South Africa our approach has been to add value to the producing country by bringing in our technical expertise, our know-how and skills," Kothari said.

KGK trains locals for employment opportunities. "We are BEE compliant and have several Beneficiation schemes for the people. Hence it was a natural extension to join hands with them and partake in their celebration, both in Mumbai as well as Delhi,” Kothari said.

KGK was founded in 1905 first as a colored stone business, but the firm later diversified into diamonds. KGK became a sightholder in London in 1997, and then took on a sight in South Africa in 2005. KGK is present in all the major diamond markets, across 14 countries, and has a stake in diamond manufacturing, jewelry manufacturing, and retail sectors.

The Diamond Empowerment Fund to Benefit Africa - Founded by Russell Simmons

After a recent fact-finding trip to Botswana and South Africa to see if - & how - diamonds were empowering Africans where they are a natural resource, Russell Simmons started the non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.) under the aegis of his Simmons Jewelry Company to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa. To raise funds for the D.E.F., he started the Green Initiative.

"Our trip to Botswana and South Africa was a wake up call to take action to support the growth of these amazing people," explains Simmons."The African people don't want a hand out, they need a hand up. What better way to do that than to engage them in the world of business? It's my intention for Simmons Jewelry Company to be an example to the jewelry industry that we can all benefit from giving back to Africa. I hope that one day, all the big companies have their own green lines and the good we've done as an industry will long lasting and deeply felt throughout Africa."

The Green Initiative collection is a unique combination of modern, traditional and inspirational hip-hop inspired jewelry in stainless steel, green rubber and diamonds. The line features the diamond encrusted Ohm Watch and Ohm pendant, as well as bracelets, pendants, chains and rings priced from $200 - $80,000. The first Green Initiative piece, the Green Bracelet - made from genuine native African green malachite beads and a rough African conflict-free diamond - has already shown up on the A-list wrists of Penelope Cruz, Paris Hilton, Gabrielle Union, Serena Williams, Eddie Murphy, T.I. & Beyonce.