The first diamond jewellery collection by the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC Botswana) was launched 9th March 2009, at the Gaborone International Convention Centre. What was unique about this collection was the consolidation of ideas in design – five pieces were from Botswana designers, eight from South African designers and five from Namibian designers - together the 18 piece collection makes up the first ever DTC Southern Africa Shining Light Collection. Within these 18 pieces, nine are Forevermark branded (Forevermark is a diamond brand launched by the De Beers Group in 2008).
DTC Botswana’s Managing Director, Mr. Brian McDonald, said “first launched in South Africa in 1996, the objective of the DTC Shining Light Awards has been to provide support for the future of the jewellery industry by helping to develop both technical and design skills of designers, and an ethos for jewellery design. However, the launch of the eighth DTC Shining Light Awards Collection marked an historic occasion: for the first time ever, the competition was opened to the Diamond Trading Company’s (DTC) neighbouring diamond producing countries - Namibia and Botswana, making the 2009 Shining Light Competition one that is truly Southern African.”
Through the Shining Light Awards competition, DTC Botswana has pioneered the way for its Sightholders - the sponsors of the collection pieces - manufacturers and designers to collaborate in producing innovative and progressive design work. The competition was launched through hosting design workshops in Gaborone, engaging the students of jewellery design, established jewellers and experts in the field of design from around the world on a single platform to network and increase their skills base, as explained by Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager of DTC Botswana – Kago Mmopi. DTC Botswana sponsored the entire workshop, which covered business and design related topics.
McDonald added “…furthermore, the competition has fostered a working relationship between DTC Botswana and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (Department of Vocational Education and Training) by donating funds to it that will go towards the College of Applied Arts and Technology, a tertiary institution which will be the first institution in Botswana to offer skills training in “Jewellery Manufacture and Design.”
The first DTC Botswana Shining Light Awards collection is a statement of bold design expression. The overall winning piece of this competition was chosen for its contemporary minimalism and unique execution in design, and the honour was bestowed upon designer Kadja Nillson for her neckpiece crafted with 8ct white and red gold with 674 round brilliant cut diamonds with a total carat weight of 24.95 carats. This piece was sponsored by the Steinmetz Diamond Group.