04 Dec 2025
On
2 December 2025, Debmarine Namibia proudly welcomed a distinguished delegation
from the United States aboard our vessel, MV Benguela Gem. The group included jewellery
designers, celebrity stylists, fashion editors, media professionals, and
industry leaders, led by Sally Morrison, De Beers Natural Diamonds Market Lead
for the U.S.
Before
the evening’s dinner, the delegation toured our operations and engaged with our
teams, experiencing firsthand the scale, innovation, and responsible practices
that define Debmarine Namibia. Their visit offered a deeper understanding of
how natural diamonds contribute far beyond beauty and luxury, supporting
livelihoods, education, health, and community development across Namibia.
Our
CEO, Mr. Willy Mertens, shared candid reflections on the challenges posed by
the recent slump in global diamond demand. He emphasised that every purchase
and investment in natural diamonds directly supports Namibia’s ambitious
development agenda, from free education and healthcare to infrastructure and
social upliftment.
The
evening celebration, A Night Under the Stars, brought together
government leaders including Honourable Emma Theofilus, Minister of
Information, Communication and Technology; Mr. Moses Pakote, Executive Director
in the Ministry of Mines and Energy; and Honourable Kadiva Hamutumwa, Governor
of Ohangwena Region. Also present were directors of Namdeb, NDTC, Debmarine
Namibia, Namdia, the Diamond Board of Namibia, the Diamond Manufacturers
Association, captains of industry, and media partners.
Guests
from the U.S. including representatives from Vogue, Vanity Fair, The Cut,
EBONY, Bustle Digital Group, and leading jewellery designers were warmly
welcomed. Their presence underscored the importance of strengthening ties
between Namibia’s diamond industry and the global fashion and media community.
As
the evening unfolded, one message resonated clearly: Namibia’s natural diamonds
are not only forever, but they are also forever an investment in the lives of
its people.
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