Neftaly – STATE DIAMOND TRADER PARTNERSHIP
Report by Neftaly Chief Development Officer
December 1989
Executive Summary
In December 1989, Neftaly Charity entered a landmark partnership with the State Diamond Trader, marking a pivotal moment in our mission to drive sustainable socio-economic development through ethical collaboration. This report outlines the objectives, outcomes, and impact of this partnership during its initial phase, as led by the Chief Development Officer.
Background
Neftaly (Neftalygressive) was founded to empower marginalized communities through economic participation, skills development, and inclusive growth. Recognizing the significant role that the mining and trading of natural resources play in South Africa’s economy, Neftaly initiated strategic discussions with the State Diamond Trader in early 1989. The goal was to forge a partnership that not only increased transparency and social responsibility within the diamond sector but also channeled resources back into disadvantaged communities.
Objectives of the Partnership
- Youth Development
Launch vocational training and entrepreneurship programs focused on gemstone processing, appraisal, and trading. - Local Economic Empowerment
Ensure a portion of revenues from diamond trading is reinvested in rural and peri-urban development projects. - Transparency & Ethics in Trade
Advocate for ethical sourcing and trading standards, in line with the emerging global discourse on conflict-free diamonds. - Women in Mining
Promote the participation of women in the mining and trading ecosystem, from operations to leadership roles.
Key Activities – December 1989
- Joint Outreach Program: Conducted community engagement sessions in Kimberley and Giyani, educating local youth and miners on ethical trade practices.
- Skills Workshops: Initiated the first Gem Trade Skills Workshop, training 120 youth in basic gemstone evaluation and handling.
- Community Investment Forum: Co-hosted a forum to determine community-led investment priorities funded by proceeds from Neftaly-linked trade activities.
- Launch of the Neftaly Diamond Fund: A pilot revolving fund seeded with 250,000 ZAR for small-scale mining cooperatives and women entrepreneurs.
Achievements
- Enabled 85 local job placements in the diamond trade value chain.
- Registered 12 female-led co-operatives in the diamond processing sector.
- Distributed equipment grants to 7 small-scale mining groups in Northern Cape and Limpopo.
- Created a data registry for artisanal miners to improve compliance, traceability, and support access.
Challenges
- Infrastructure Gaps: Limited access to tools and reliable infrastructure in remote communities delayed implementation in some areas.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Navigating evolving legislation on local beneficiation and licensing required close coordination with government departments.
- Market Access: Small producers struggled to find consistent buyers, requiring Neftaly to begin discussions on a cooperative sales platform.
Next Steps (Q1 1990)
- Scale up the Neftaly Diamond Fund to 1 million ZAR with matched government support.
- Establish a Mobile Gem Lab for training and appraisal services in rural areas.
- Formalize the Neftaly Ethical Trade Code in collaboration with State Diamond Trader leadership.
- Expand vocational training to three additional provinces, with a target of 500 new trainees by June 1990.
Conclusion
The Neftaly – State Diamond Trader partnership represents a bold, necessary intervention to bridge the gap between South Africa’s wealth in natural resources and the historical exclusion of its people from that wealth. December 1989 marked the start of a transformative journey, and our results thus far affirm that equitable, community-led development through strategic partnerships is not only possible—it is powerful.
Prepared by:
[Name]
Chief Development Officer
Neftaly Charity
December 31, 1989

